President of HLSCC presented Khiry Creque with the overall Men's Championship award in 2011. Photo Credit: supplied

Muriel Steadman won four consecutive races in 2011, seemingly breaking the course records at will. Photo Credit: supplied

Raheem Taylor saved his best for last, but left it too late to catch Creque in 2011. Will he make ammends in 2012? Photo Credit: supplied

The 2012 season promises four races on Tortola and three on Virgin Gorda and as Race director, Stephanie Russ Penn explained “ this will be the 11th year that the races are partnering with its main sponsor Highland Spring Mineral Water, which is distributed through TICO BVI.” adding, “it has been a phenomenal partnership that has been integral to the success of the race series and much gratitude is continually extended to TICO BVI and Highland Spring Mineral Water for their annual commitment to the college through this event.”

It is anticipated that the 2012 season will continue to draw large crowds as this extraordinary community event continues to provide a fun, healthy wholesome experience mixed with a bit of competition.

The 2012 season will also include two “Races For A Cause” aimed at assisting the newly formed organization “Friends of HLSCC” in the building of an HLSCC endowment fund. These races will be held on Saturday 6 October on Virgin Gorda and Saturday 13 October on Tortola in conjunction with regularly scheduled scoring races.

The Organizers are looking forward to welcoming back the regular runners, joggers and walkers as well as the defending 2011 Champions Khiry Creque and Meriel Steadman.

Steadman was the overall female champion last year and won four consecutive races, breaking the women’s record almost at will. Creque, one of the most decorated race series participants, followed on from previous achievements as the top primary (2002) and secondary (2008) schools male athlete to take the men’s title despite 2010 Champion Raheem Taylor pushing him all the way and winning the last race.

The Rotary Club of Tortola racked up its seventh first place, the Cedar School Parents and Staff had their third win in a row, and the St. George’s Secondary School team gained its maiden victory in their respective divisions.

The Althea Scatliffe Primary School team, which dominated the race series from 2002-2006, regained the title in this division, while Derek Pettigrew and Alisha Hayde were crowned the new one-mile male and female champions.

All races begin at 7 a.m. on race day with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. Persons can participate in the Cross Country category as teams or as individuals in the Open two mile race (ages 9 and up) or the one mile race (under nine only). For further information please contact Stephanie Russ Penn at 852-7216.

The full schedule for 2012 is Tortola: 15 September, 29 September, 13 October, 10 November and 26 November; Virgin Gorda: 22 September, 6 October, and 27 October.