Brownsdon, Amsterdam Win Dive BVI 5K Series on Virgin Gorda

MARCH 20—The 2013 Dive BVI 5K Series wrapped up on Saturday in The Valley, Virgin Gorda with Emrol Amsterdam and Kathleen Brownsdon taking this year’s men’s and women’s titles, respectively.

Ms. Brownsdon won the race in the women’s division — her third consecutive victory this series — with a time of 21 minutes and 02 seconds.

“She just moved here and lit it up,” event organizer Casey McNutt said.

For the men, it was the first time this series that Mr. Amsterdam did not win the race. He took fourth place overall, while Steve Asson of Tortola crossed the finish line first with a time 19:48.

Despite transportation issues between the islands, the series was supported by participants from Tortola during each race.

“These guys are great. They make it exciting,” Ms. McNutt said about the runners from Tortola. “When we get these guys over here it brightens it up. I can’t thank them enough. They have come out in big numbers.”

The last race attracted 60 participants and the series has consistently had a strong number of runners and walkers since its conception four years ago.

 “We have just seen it grow every year,” Ms. McNutt said. “I think the community cares about its health and fitness. More families seem to be coming out.”

Jermain Abrams did not win a race this series, but his times have improved getting him closer to his goal of running a 5k under 20 minutes.

“I am getting closer,” Mr. Abrams said. “It is all the hard work I am putting in.”

He finished Saturday's race in 22:37."

He said the top runners do not discourage him, but rather motivated him to run faster.

“I do it just for fun,” Mr. Abrams said. “I am not a serious race competitor. I don’t have any other activities, because of my work schedule.”

The organizers are now going to focus on the second annual Virgin Gorda Half Marathon scheduled for May 18. Ms. McNutt said the “numbers are looking good” with participants from St. Kitts and St. Thomas already registered.

This year the half marathon will include a relay division with teams of two or three.

“It worked for Tortola. They added it last time and it brought a lot more people who maybe were afraid of it,” Ms. McNutt said.

For more information visit www.racevirgingorda.com

Road racing continues on Saturday on Tortola, with the 2nd race of the Blenheim Trust 5K Series. The race will start and finish on Long Bay Beach, Beef Island. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with the race starting at 7:00 a.m.

Dive BVI 5K Race 4  final- Results; Men:1. Steven Asson 19:48.  2. Ravi Sukhu 19:57.  3. Zebalon McLean, 20:10.  4. Emrol Amsterdam ,20:16. 5. Ezron Simmons 20:51.  6. Curwin Andrews 20:52. 7. Jermain Abrams 22:37.  8. Ben Heiser 23:30.  9. Jeff Moorhead 23:32.  10. Jeff McNutt 24:12. 11. Will Seddon 24:17.  12. Lindsay Pereira 27:09.  13. Ben Heiser 27:44  14. Simon Fox 28:06.  15. Noah Fox 28:06.  16. Harsh Banthia 28:54.  17. Wilbert Samuel 29:07. 18. Marc Taggart 29:16.   19. Lance Heisinger 30:58.  20. Zoltan Birinyi 35:13.  21. Mikey Bell 36:20.  22. Jeff Nichols 36:20.  23. Ryan Kyle 41:49.  24. Aiden McCarthy 41:51.  25. Murry Maxwell 44:26. 26. Arron Seddon 44:37.

Women:1. Kathleen Brownsdon 21:02.  2. Laura Bowles 21:47.  3. Ehrin Irvin 22:08.  4. NiMade Oniasih 23:21.  5. Philomena Robertson 24:12.  6. Kim Takeuchi 24:26.  7. Amy Moorehead 24:49.  8. Janet Moorehead 25:17.  9. Lucy Smith 25:24.  10. Leanne Munn 26:45.  11. Claire McCarthy 26:48.  12. AJ Syrett 27:35. 13. Laura Heisinger 27:53.  14. Vivian Toro 27:54.  15. Debbie Ridgeway 28:42. 16. Louise Sugar 29:21.  17. Erin Heiser 31:01. 18. Mary Kerschbaum 31:42.  19. Colleen Moorehead 32:10. 20. Letizia Cooke 32:43.  21. Raynecia Simmons 36:10.  22. Pierrette Agen 38:56.  23. Chris Yates 39:58.  24. Luana Casoni 40:42.  25. Stephanie Williams 41:20.  26. Tara Murphy 42:34.  27. Sarah VanName 42:34.  28. Caitlin Kennedy 42:34.  29. Brit Maxwell 44:26.  30. Charli Seddon 44:37. 31. Linda Giersing 55:38.  32. Rose Gardener 55:39.  33. Laura Fox 55:40.  34. Eva Fox 55:40.  35. Barbara Pinnock-Smith INJURY.

Dive BVI 5K Series Overall winners; Male: 1. Emrol Amsterdam. 2. Ravi Sukhu. Female: 1. Kathleen Brownsdon. 2. NiMade Oniasih

 Division Winners: Female; 20-29 - Laura Heisinger. 30-39 - Philomena Robertson. 40-49 - Kathleen Brownsdon, 50-59 - Pierrette Agen. 60+ - Chris Yates

Male: Under 10 - Will Seddon. 20-29 - Ezron Simmons. 30-39 - Ravi Sukhu

40-49 - Curwin Andrews. 50-59 - Emrol Amsterdam. 60+ - Lindsay Pereira