Malique Smith of the St. Croix Track Club crosses the finish line for his
team at Fort-To-For Run For Respect    Relay…V.I.Pace Photo
              A dozen relay teams of four runners each took the challenge to be first to reach from Fort Christansvern in Christiansted to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted on Sunday morning.  The V.I.Pace Runners team of Billy Bohlke, the top long distance runner in the V.I. and former V.I. greats George Jules, Ana Guiterrez and Lincoln Duncan, held the lead in the race for most of the way as Bohlke running the first leg (4.1 Miles) from Christiansted to Sunny Isle, showed a bit of rust for having cut back on training since the CAC Games marathon in August, handed off to George Jules running his first race (4 Miles) in years and who was for many years the top runner in the V.I., he led his Hellenites soccer team to many victories in this race, he held the lead from Sunny Isle to UVI where Ana Guiterrez, the V.I. only woman to run the marathon in the Olympic Games (Barcelona 1992) held the lead for most of the way only to be overtaken coming to Sunshine Mall (2.9 Miles) and the third exchange by the Jahdel Jules of the St. Croix Track Club which held second place for the distance up to this point in the race. 

Twelve year-old Malique smith took the baton at Sunshine Mall and pulled away from Lincoln Duncan, also a member of the Hellenites team for years, who faded in the last leg (3.8 miles) and was overcome by the St. Croix Educational Complex High School’s David Walters and V.I. Youth Olympian just back from Singapore.  The St. Croix Track Club finished first in the event with a time of 1:39.28; The St. Croix Educational Complex was second in 1:47.30; The Beeston Hill Beasties was third in 1:48.20.

Runners in first leg of Fort-To-Fort Run For Respect Relay…V.I.Pace Photo

The Finishers:

1.The St. Croix Track Club 1:38.29 (Ian Cuffy, Jeremy Kariah, Jahdel Jules, Malique Smith SPONSOR: Marshall & Sterling Insurance)

2. St.Croix Educational Complex 1:47.30 (David Walter, Lenroy George, Jhonsin Ramos, Charles Sealey, David Walter SPONSOR: Marsall Sterling Insurance)

 3. Beeston Hill Beasties 1:48.20 (Paul Evora, Kara Pomicter, Heidi Snow, Brandon Rauch SPONSOR: Caribbean Health and Fitness Center)

 4. The Virgin Islands Pace Runners 1:53.15 (Billy Bohlke, George Jules, Ana Guiterrez, Lincoln Duncan SPONSOR: The Virgin Islands Pace Runners)

 5. The Trainers 1:53.44 (Albion Thomas, Lynsey Lewis, TJ Vandehey, Dave Wentz SPONSOR: Team)

 6. Crucian Confusion no time (Carol Murphy, Scott Fricks, Amanda Warehime, Emily Shoup SPONSOR: Team)

 7. Cool Runnings 2:11.47 Arlene Gatti, Tyler Jowaisas, Sarah Stamper, Coral Megahy SPONSOR: HOVENSA

 8. No Names 2:13.45 Rebecca Elkins, Todd Hawk, Nicki Nelson, Latifa DeGraft-Johnson SPONSOR: Team)

9. Groner & Eckard 2;16.20 (Mandi Roberts, Julie Eckard, Todd Nurnberger, Elizabeth Nurnberger SPONSOR: Groner & Eckard Law Offices

10. Team Tigers 2:17.05 (Jason Snow, Olga Capriola, Shannan Calhoun, Sheila Deevy SPONSOR
Michele Dizon)

11. V.I. Legislature 2:42.24 (Terrance Nelson, Judi Fricks, Nelly O’Reilly, Ronald Russell SPONSOR: Team

12. Rey Lutz 3:43.30

13. UVI HOVENSA #1 3:51.55 (Lamar Mc Nair, Berlina Wallace, Marsha Wallace SPONSOR: HOVENSA

14. UVI HOVENSA #2 no time (Richard Motta, Olumi, Sean Befhe, George Thurland SPONSOR: HOVENSA)

The 27^th Fort-To-Fort Run For Respect was for the benefit of The 10,000 Helpers of St. Croix http://tenthousandhelpersofstcroix.org/ , is a non-profit organization which serves the homeless in St. Croix and the mentally ill in the Virgin Islands. With the support of the St.Croix Rescue and the Virgin Islands Police Department, volunteers of 10,000 Helpers of St. Croix.  It was organized by the Virgin Islands Pace Runners http://virginislandspace.org

For information: call: V.I.Pace Runners 340-643-2557 10,000 Helpers of St. Croix 340-719-2828
(results and photographs are on http://virginislandspace.org )

David Walters leads Junior Barracudas Track Club of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School to victory for the second year in a row a the 26^th Annual Fort-To-Fort Relay Run For Respect on Sunday…

Junior Barracudas Win Fort-To-Fort Relay...

August 30, 2009--St.Croix, Virgin Islands--The Junior Barracudas Track and Field Team of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School took first place for the second year in a row in the 26^th Annual Fort-To-Fort Relay—Run For Respect Sunday under rainy conditions.  The field of runners making up seven teams (down in numbers from previous years) covered the course from Fort Christanvaern in Christiansted to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted.

 David Walters of the Barracudas and Ian Cuffy of the St. Croix Track Club dominated the race from the start as they shadowed each other to Peter’s Rest.  Walters surged for the 1,000 or so meters to the Red Cross complex to put the Barracudas ahead for the remainder of the race.  The Junior Barracudas with David Walters, Darren Francis, Lenroy George and Seymour

Walters took first place in 1:33.30.  The St. Croix Track Club with Ian Cuffy, Keith Smith, Mireille Smith and Malique Smith took second place in 1:42.30;  One Step At A Time with Alicia Chruaman, Roger Hatfield, Senator Terrance Nelson and Kelvin Vidale finished third in 1:59.32; Harbo View Tae-Kwon-Do with Greg Gumbs, Kas’ N. Gumbs, Jahmar Jenn-Marie and Alex Lewit finished fourth in 2:17.13; Jolly Roger with Mike Klein, Jennifer Lockwood, Stephanie Melanga and Teddy Seymour finished fifth in 2:18.16; Wondering Woman with Katherine Pugliese, Sarah Ridgway, Ashley McKinnon and Catlin Sterner finished sixth in 2:25.51.  The unofficial team Jolly Roger I with Troy Holloway, Carol Mdgahy, Sissel Holloway (Troy Holloway) recorded the third fastest time of the day in 1:58.15.

 This event is for the benefit of Ten Thousand Helpers of St. Croix and was organized by the Virgin Islands Pace Runners.

New champion for annual road relay are high school runners.

Sept., 7, 2008--St.Croix, Virgin Islands--The Virgin Islands Pace Runners announced today that a new champion has been crowned at the 25^th running The Fort-To-Fort Run For Respect Relay Road Race held on Sunday in St.Croix .  The Junior Barracudas of the St.Croix Educational Complex High School (ECHS) (Ian Cuffy, David Walter, Deron Francis and Seymour Walter)  won the race with a time of 1:34.17.  Second place went to The St.Croix Track Club (SCTC) (De Wayne Smith, Keith Smith, Mirelle Smith, Ninfa Barnard) in 1:39.26 and third place went to the Chickenhawks of Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS) (Ricky Gumbs, Jerome Bute, Shaquille Edward, Kyron Correa) in 1:42.12. 

The race started at 7am sharp from Fort Christiansvern in Christiansted and saw 14 teams of 4 runners each cover the distance of nearly 16 miles.  De Wayne Smith of The St.Croix Track Club took the lead early and was first  to Sunny Isle where he handed off to Keith Smith.  George Jules of The Virgin Islands Pace Runners was second to the exchange and handed off to Ruth Ann David; it was close between Ricky Gumbs of The Chickenhawks of CAHS and Ian Cuffy of the Barracudas of ECHS. Ruth Ann David of V.I.Pace passed Keith Smith as they ran through Strawberry to move V.I.Pace into first place and held that lead to the second exchange at UVI.  David Walther of ECHS ran an excellent leg as he moved his team from third/fourth to second place.  Theresa Harper took the baton from Ruth Ann David and held the lead for V.I.Pace beyond mid-way into her leg as Deron Francis of ECHS moved his team into first place.  Harper handed off to Sherma Aurelien in second place and Mireille Smith of the SCTC handed off to Ninfa Barnard in third place. In the last mile ECHS’s Seymour Walter held on to win, Ninfa Barnard moved The St.Croix Track Club moved up to Second and Kyron Correa moved Charlotte Amalie High School  into third place. 

The Finishers: 

Ian Cuffy, David Walter, Darren Francis, Seymour Walter The St.Croix Educational Complex High School Jr. Barracudas 1:34.17; 2. De Wayne Smith, Keith Smith, Mireille Smith, Ninfa Barnard St.Croix Track Club 1:39.26; 3. Ricky Gumbs, Jerome Bute, Shaquile Edware, Kyron Correa Charlotte Amalie High School Chickenhawks 1:42.12; 4. George Jules, Ruth Ann David, Theresa Harper, Sherma Aurlien The Virgin Islands Pace Runners 1:44.05;  5. Clint Smith, Justin Hitesman, Alicia Lewit, Julio Felix Barracudas II 1:58.07; 6. Pepichico, Virgin Campbell, Sarah Gambee; Luke Frederick Derrick Jones Anesthesiology 2:01.55; 7. Shaquille Bruno, Faustino Jefferson, Dale Carty, Tequan Cruse Eudora Kean High School 2:02.18; 8. Brad Chafee, Julio Sanchez, Mark Nelson, Fred Flint Cannon Balls 2:02.32; 9. Rashad Wilson, Jahamai Jean marie, Alex Leit, Jason Tuitt V.I.Tae Kwon Do 2:06.37; 10. Senator Louis Patric Hill, Colette Convoy Monroe, Bill Shed, Major Coles Richards One People, One Destiny 2:21.06; 11.Leeanna Hyacinth, Chaquan Thomas, Karissa Cave, Creola Jn Baptiste University of The Virgin Islands 2:25.00; 12. Frank Puligese, Linda Whitaker, Jill Dedinsky, Katherind Puligese Best For last 2:25.28; 13.Lucian Cummabatch, Vanessa Paul, Manuel Rivera, Kelvin Vidale Dread Heads 2:25.40; 14.Denise Blanchett; Olga Capriola, Sheila Deavy, Rebecca Pelayo St.Croix Country Day Teachers 2:33.40

 Results—Run For Respect 24^th Fort-To-Fort Relay Road Race… 

Sept. 16, 2007--St.Croix, Virgin Islands--Eleven teams of runners completed the 24^th Run For Respect Fort-To-Fort Relay Road Race on Sunday morning from Fort Christiansvern in Christiansted to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted.  The Virgin Islands Pace team of George Jules, Billy Bohlke, Sheldon Williams and Marlon Williams led the way  for the second year in a row with a time of 1 hour 31 minutes and 14 seconds to set a course record.  Cheetah’s Track Club/Charlotte Amalie High School of St.Thomas with Virgin Campbell, Shaquille Edwards, Ricky Gumbs and Jerome Bute, took second place with a time of 1:49:47.  After being in fourth place during the first leg of the race, Christiansted to the Zion Farm and the headquarters of Ten Thousand Helpers and the second leg to UVI, the team moved ahead of The Junior Baracudas Track Club/St.Croix Educational Complex High School of  Ian Cuffy, Marlon Phillip, Devon Peters and Seymour Walter.  Positive Intension with Alecia Lewitt, Senator Terrance Nelson, Michael Springer and Luke Fredericks finished fourth with a time of 2:02. 33.  To Frederiksted and Beyond with Sarah Bostwick, Fred Flint, Brad Chaffee and Cathy Prince (the original female V.I.Pace runner), its time was 2:08.35. 

The Finishers: 

1.V.I.Pace Runners (George Jules, Billy Bohlke, Sheldon Williams, Marlon Williams )1;31.14; 2. Cheetah’s Track Club/Charlotte Amalie High School (Virgin Campbell, Shaquille Francis, Ricky Gumbs, Jerome Bute)1:49.47; 3. Baracudas Track Club/St.Croix Educational Complex (Ian Cuffy, Marlon Phillip, Devon Peters, Seymour Walter) 1;56.45; 4. Positive Intensions (Alecia Lewit, Terrance Nelson, Michael Springer, Luke Frederik) 2:02.33; 5. To Frederiksted & Beyond (Sarah Bostwick, Fred Flint, Brad Chafee, Cathy Prince) 2:08.35; 6. Waivepiercers (Ishmael Perez, Cam Dhooge, Charles Martin, Karlyn) 2:12.05; 7. Top Meat #2 (Frank Pugliese, Jody Starr, Kim Gomez, Catherine Pugliese) 2:21.23; 8. American Management Solutions (Doug Brady, Neil Schultz, Marie Elise Witmer, Elena Shabah) 2:32.95; 9. The Girlz Dem (Kirsten Peterson, Melanie Vaswani, Jill Dedinsky, Jacqueline Kowolski 2:48.55 

The event was for the benefit of Ten Thousand Helpers in support of persons who are mentally ill and homeless, organized by V.I.Pace Runners and sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation. 

Unofficial Teams: Forerunners (Jeremy Laurent, Richard Jeanpierre, Shane Duncan B.Bohlke) 1;39.48; Top Meat #1 (Linda Witiker, Zack Orr, Steve Silver, Steve Silver) 2:12.23 

Race Notes: Sheldon Williams, son of Marlon Williams, has competed with Billy Bohlke since they were young children have finished numerous races in Frederiksted.  Michael Springer ran in the first Children Race in Christiansted with Sheldon.  Cathy Prince is the first female V.I.Pace Runner and she wore a retro V.I.Pace singlet for today’s race which ran past the place she grew up at on the corner of Strand St..  The team Forerunners was in second place all the way but third runner Alex Adams did not run…the team would have most likely repeated its second place finish of last year.  Teams shared $2,400 and special promotional prizes.  Sponsors included: HOVENSA, Triangle Construction, Island Delivery Service, Gone Tropical,  Supply sponsors: Plaza Extra, Cost U Less, Bellows International, K-Mart, Stamina Sports,  Voices of Praise choir sang following the race. DJ Myron provided music and public address system.  Support was provided by St. Croix Rescue and the Virgin Islands Police Department. Volunteers from St. Joseph High School, the Alpha Fraternity.

Juan Robles, the top high school distance runner in the V.I., leads the V.I.Pace Runners to victory in the Fort-To-Fort Relay--Run for Respect...

Runners Run across the island for the homeless and mentally ill…

8-27-06 St.Croix, V.I.--The 23^rd Annual Fort-To-Fort Relay—Run For Respect road race had 18 teams of four runners each run four legs of a relay from Fort Christiansvern in Christiansted to the Fort Frederik in Frederiksted on Sunday morning with the first place Virgin Islands Pace Runners George Jules, Amallee Lockart, Earthla Augustin and Juan Robles completing the fifteen mile course for first place in 1 hour 35 minutes 43 seconds.  Fore Runners with Shane Duncan leading the first leg for nearly three miles, Alex Adams, Richard Jean Pierre and Jeremy Laurent took second in 1:41.29.  The St. Croix Track Club was third with Ian Cuffy, Marlon Williams, Clint Smith, Ninfa Barnard in 1:45.13.  The first three teams won medals, received certificates and split $1,500 in prize money. 

This year the Virgin Islands Pace Runners joined with Ten Thousand Helpers of St.Croix Inc. to raise money for the homeless and mentally ill.  Plans are to make it an annual fundraiser for the groups.

The Finishers Teams:
First  Place 1:35.43 The Virgin Islands Pace Runners
George Jules, Amallee Lockhart, Earthla Augustin, Juan Robles 

Second Place 1:41.29 Fore Runners
Shane Duncan, Alex Adams, Richard Jean Pierre, Jeremy Laurent 

Third Place1:45.13 The St. Croix Track Club
Ian Cuffy, Marlon Williams, Clint Smith, Ninfa Barnard

 Fourth Place 1:49.39 Femmin Force
Erica Switzer, Theresa Harper, Heidi Snow, Sue Brown 

Fifth Place1:53.54 Buccaneer
 Morgan Locke, Roger Hatfield, Elizabeth Armstrong, Bob Hauk

 Sixth Place 1:55.51 Streakers
Jason Snow, Bruce Daugherty, John Harper, Will Franks 

Seventh Place 2:07.07 Baccus Restaurant B
 Roger Shepard, Jody Starr, Frank Pugleise, Steve Silver

Eighth Place 2:07.16 Just For Fun
Alicia Lewit, Patrecia Cabral, Stace Stone, Mirielle Smith 

Ninth Place 2:08.11 Positive Attitude
Terrance Nelson, Julio Sanchez, Fred Flint, Luke Frederick 

Tenth Place 2:08.30 Virgin Islands National Guard
Kendall Richmond, Vaynil Gumbs, Denis Dupal, Jesus Espinosa 

Eleventh Place 2:19.59 Country Day School
Ben Chandlee, Denise Blanchette, Donna Duffy, Olga Capriola

 Twelfth Place 2:21.08 Virgin Islands National Guard
Charles Nanton, Paul Radix, Pauline Heywood, Antonio Gonzales

 Thirteenth2:23.34 Place
 Elizabeth O’Toole, Michael Springer, Stuart Ketchum, Warren Mosler 

Fourteenth Place2:24.16 Bacchus Restaurant A
Kathrine Puglise, Linda Whitaker, Joe Dedinsky, Kendall Holmes

 Fifteenth Place 2:28.59 American Management Solutions
Marvin Schultz, Elena Shaubah, Steve Winfree, Diane Colabella

 Sixteenth 2:29.51 Code Blue
Grethen Turner, Robert Thompson, Michael Potts, Jackie Thompson

 Unofficial Teams

2:07.16 Golden Ovaries
Michelle Freiburshouse, Elizabeth Nurnberger, Theresa Harper, Judi Fricks

St. Croix Hiking Association
Cathy Prince, Ivan Butcher, Olasie Davis

Results 21st Annual Fort-To-Fort Relay Road Race...

 Teams of Four complete 21^st Fort-to-Fort Relay Road Race

 August 29, 2004--St.Croix, Virgin Islands--The Virgin Islands Pace Runners team of Hansel Estapan, Juan Robles, George Jules and Wallace Williams led the way from Fort Christianvearn in Christiansted to Fort Frederik in Frederiksted in the 21^st Annual 25 kilometer relay race with a time of 1 hour 38 minutes and 10 seconds.  The first place Mixed team and second overall was Far Out with Jessica Smetana, Patrick Joy, Tish Dusich and Theresa Harper with a time of 1:58.13; the third place team was Mango Melee with Denise Blanchette, Earthla Augustin, Terry Chretien and Errol Chichester in 2:12.21; and the fourth place team was Four Seasons with Peter Skrivanos, Rey Ruiz, Bruce Daugherty and Louise Stapleton in 2:23.12. 

The race on the V.I. Pace Runners calendar is the Labor Day 5K on Monday September 6 at 6am.  The race changes courses this year and for the first time will be held on the North Shore and will start at the bottom of the Beast, climb the Beast, proceed along River Road and finish at the intersection of River Road and Mid Island Road..  For information call the V.I.Pace Runners at 340-643-2557 or logon to: http://virginislandspace.org

Results The 20th Annual Fort-To-Fort Relay Road Race

August 24, 2003--St. Croix, Virgin Islands--25 Kilometers from Christiansted, Fort Christianvern to Frederiksted Fort Frederik Sunday
August 24, 2003 6am Northshore Road to Midland Road to Mohogany Road to King St.

1st Place

Team Name: 4 Women  2 Forts  1 Goal  (4-2-1)
Time: 1hr. 56min.
Team Members: Denise Blanchette, Theresa Harper, Rachel Witty, Suzie Brown

2nd Place

Team Name: Good Question
Time: 2hrs. 7min.
Team Members: Jay Wiltshire, Diana Browne, Kamal Russel, Senator Louis Hill

3rd Place

Team Name: Morning Runners
Time: 2hrs. 10min.
Team Members: Jack Branch, Kevin Morgan, Angela Bradbury, Kent Bradbury

4th Place

Team Name: The Buccaneers
Time: 2hrs. 12min.
Team Members: Susan Armstrong, Theresa Stamper, Bob Halk, Elizabeth A.
Armstrong