Runners take off in the opening race of the Dive BVI 5K Series on Virgin Gorda on January 21, 2017. Photo: VINO

Race winner Vincent Fournier is flanked by second placed finisher Reuben J. A. Stoby (left) and third place finisher Harsh Banthia. Photo: VINO

Katrina Lindsay ran unchallenged to cross the finish line as the first female to complete the 3.1 mile distance. Photo: VINO

Veteran road racer Zebalon A. McLean was one of the three Tortola runners. Photo: VINO

Emrol Amsterdam (21:43) finished 4th, just ahead of Marlon Felix (21:49). Photo: VINO

Teenager Harsha Banthia ran a strong race to take third, upsetting the experienced Emrol Amsterdam and Curwin Andrews. Photo: VINO

Vincent Fournier defended home turf by turning back the challenge of Reuben J. A. Stoby, winning in 18:18, while Stoby clocked 18:20.

Katrina Lindsay, one of three persons who travelled over from Tortola for the race, was the first female athlete to complete the distance. Lindsay was timed in 22:20. Second was Lara Leyton in 23:58 and third Kim Takeuchi in 24:11.

The race got off to a blistering start with Fournier and youngster Harsh Banthia bursting to the front. Stoby did not go with the pace but soon reeled in Banthia and began to make inroads on Fournier’s lead in the final mile, however, Fournier had enough in the legs to stave off a fast finishing Stoby.

Banthia, who also plays tennis, was third in 21:05.

The next race of the series is on February 18, 2017.

See full results below:

Men

1. Vincent Fournier 18:18,  2. Reuben Stoby 18:20, 3. Harsh Banthia 21:05, 4. Emrol Amsterdam 21:43, 5. Marlon Felix 21:49, 6. Curwin Andrews 22:07, 7. Alan Cundall 22:09, 8. Keith Williams 22:34, 9. Zebalon McLean 23:51, 10. Kenton Jones 25:45, 11. Will Seddon 29:58, 12. Ben Foglesong 30:00, 13. Harold Barel 32:22, 14. Benjamin Moore 33:59, 15. Noah Fox 44:02, 16. Nicholas Moore 44:15, 17. Andy Johnson 48:40, 18. Simon Fox 49:25, 19. Theo Jones 51:30, 20. Fred Walstrom 51:40

Women

1. Katrina Lindsay 22:20, 2. Lara Leyton 23:58, 3. Kim Takeuchi 24:11, 4. Jessica Wilson 25:55, 5. Casey McNutt 31:30, 6. Charli Seddon 32:12, 7. Tara Murphy 32:53, 8. Eva Fox 35:27, 9. Megan Farrington 35:44, 10. Kelaine Smith 41:34, 11. Chris Yates 45:06, 12. Kim Beradine 48:38, 13. Sarah Moore 48:38, 14. Jean Barel 48:40, 15. Marty Walstrom 51:40, 16. Tasia Veenkamp 52:14, 17. Chrissann Nickel 54:07, 18. Dee Lott 54:07, 19. Laura Fox 54:14, 20. Ciel Fox 54:14