Meriel Steadman ( light blue top), who finished second in the womens and third overall at the NACAC 10 K in St Croix this past weekend

Ruth Ann David, a member of two bronze medal winning V.I. CAC Cross-Country teams traveled from St. Thomas to compete. David, always aggressive at the start, was challenged most of the way by Steadman who took the lead into the first mile and held it through five miles.

David, stating that it was one of the toughest races she has run, was a least 100 to 150 meters behind Steadman to near the five mile mark where she took the lead for only the second time in the race. She was able to hold Steadman off and took first place with a time of 40:55; Steadman was right on David’s heels for second in 41:17. Theresa Harper, also a two-time V.I. CAC Cross-Country team bronze medal winner, was the third place female winner in 46:09; Heidi Snow was fourth in 50:49; Laura Hood was fifth in 54:31.

In the Men’s, Juan Robles, a competitor in the 2011 CAC Senior Championships steeplechase in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and the 2011 World University Games in the Steeplechase in Shenzen, China, was unchallenged on the scenic and tough north shore course which had inclines near the start and the finish. His time was 34:52. Tyler Jowasis was the second place male in 43:36; Kellen Hood was third in 43:39; Robert Halk was fourth in 44:01; Jason Snow was fifth in 44:35.

The NACAC 10K Series is a development competition sponsored by the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Confederation. There are six countries in the series hosting events: September 25, US Virgin Islands; October 8 British Virgin Islands; October 23 Trinidad and Tobago October; November 13 Martinique November 27 Dominica; December 11 Grenada.

The top five finishers in both the men’s and women’s races share $3,500 in prize money provided by NACAC. Medals also go to the top five male and female finishers; certificates and tee-shirts also provided by NACAC are presented to all participants.