Hindes vs Stoby! But watch out for the ‘Kat’ fight!
Whilst registration is still open, with the ceiling of 125 entrants neared but not quite reached, by Thursday night (102 in total, with approximately half doing the 6 Mile Race and 18 coming from the USA), the common thread amongst organisers is that it will be a hot race between Hindes and Stoby, who is currently dominating the local 5K and 10K road racing series.
Defending champion Hindes from St John, who likes to go out fast and lead from the front was victorious in 2014, his first half marathon and is looking to break his course record of 1 hr 32 min 34 seconds, by 4 minutes.
Stoby, who has set course records on VG during the Dive BVI 5K and also the Blenheim Trust 5K’s on Tortola, is looking forward to Saturday’s race. “I am ready to take on the tough course again having run the two 10Ks in the Dive BVI Series. It’s going to be painful but fun am sure,” Stoby said.
Other local runners will include Julius Farley and Curwin Andrews, who might just have a say in the final outcome.
The ‘Kat’ fight
Race Organiser Casey McNutt, explained that although like so many others she is looking forward to seeing the Hinds/Stoby showdown, there might be an even more exciting “Kat fight” unfolding on the roads of VG on Saturday. “The women’s event should prove equally exciting with last year’s winner Katrina Crumpler coming up against Kathleen Brownsdon!”
Rosmond Johnson is also taking part and ignored at the peril of the pre-race favourites!
McNutt went on to add that although the competitive edge is great to see, the race is really a community event and is designed to showcase the beauty and culture of VG. “All seven water stops are being manned by different community groups and they will be cheering on, encouraging and generally making sure all the runners have a wonderful experience,” she said.
“We really want to embrace Sports Tourism and Virgin Gorda as a destination and will be doing all we can to ensure everyone experiences VG at its best. The Half Marathon is for everyone and we want people to come back and enjoy everything VG has to offer.”
The ‘Green Element’
An added touch this year is a “green” element which showcases the talent of local business, Next Wave.
The medals presented at the finish line, after the runners have taken the traditional dive off the dock at the Mermaid Bar and before they head to the Proudly African refreshment garden, are all hand crafted from recycled glass, adding a unique element to the event.
Participants will receive a cooler bag and the winners of the Half Marathon will be awarded prize money of $300, $150 and $50, whilst those winning the 6-mile run will get $50 and $25, amongst other gifts provided by sponsors and the BVI Tourist Board.
“The race is not about the prize money,” commented McNutt. “We really want what we raise to go back into the community. It might be nice, in the future, to attract some more well known runners, but for now this is all about VG and the community.”
Al Broderick will be performing, Marathon items will be on sale, Massage Therapists will be on hand and many sponsors have provided essential support, including Proudly African, RTW, Oil Nut Bay, Leverick Bay Marina, VG Yacht Harbor, Dive BVI, Necker and Eustacia Islands, Mermaid Pools, Cocoa Maya, the Bath and Turtle, Rendevouz Bar, Therapy Works, BVI Tourist Board and Island Chiropractors.
For those travelling from Tortola the boat leaves Trellis Bay at 5.15am sharp and returns no later than 11.00am.
RACE START
Half Marathon Briefing - 5:50am
Half Marathon START - 6:00am
6 Mile Challenge Briefing - 6:20am
6 Mile Challenge START - 6:30am
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