Taylor, Crumpler Closes Blenheim Trust 5K Series With Victories

Raheem "Ras" Taylor wins the Blenheim Trust 5K Series finale--a race he dedicated to his late mother

JUNE 5--An emotional Raheem “Ras” Taylor and Katrina Crumpler brought the curtains down on the 2013 Blenheim Trust 5K Series tour of Tortola with victories on Saturday, in the race held in Road Town. 

Although Taylor wasn’t the first to cross the line—as the women had a five minutes start and Crumpler never let the men get close—he was dedicating the victory in memory his mother who passed away a week earlier. Taylor finished in 19 minutes and 52 seconds with men’s overall series winner James Carr finishing second in 20:03. Ravi Sukhu was third in 20:24.

“It was really a challenging one from the get go when we burst the gate and it was mentally hard,” Taylor said. “The pressure was on and l like that I came out on top, at least for the last one. I couldn’t let my firs trace since my mother passed away last week Thursday and I lost the first race. I was like ‘nah, nah, I can’t do that at all.’ It was hard,” he reiterated. “But, I’m working on recovering from her death and carry on.”

Fresh off winning the women’s division of the Dive BVI Virgin Gorda Half Marathon on May 18, Crumpler had a winning time of 21:55, to seal the women’s title.

“I wanted to go a bit quicker than I did but, it was good to win,” she said. “I was very motivated not to let the men catch me with the five minutes handicapping start. It was nice to see them behind me for a change instead of chasing them.”

Final Results; Men:1. Raheem “Ras” Taylor, 19 minute and 52 seconds. 2. James Carr, 20:03. 3. Ravindra Sukhu, 20:24. 4. Zebalon McLean, 22:10. 5. Adrian Dale, 22:22. 6. Filip Kreutzer, 23:12. 7. Anthony Thom, 23:34. 8. Patrick Osmond, 23:50. 9. Stefano Tasking, 24:27. 10. Alliston “Allie” Blyden, 24:39. 11. Andrew Willins, 25:06.  12. Howard Moore, 28:10. 13. Richie Paul, 28:21. 14. Marvin Flax, 28:26. 15. Stephen Beard, 32:15.

Women: 1. Katrina Crumpler, 21:55. 2. NiMade Oniasih, 23:39. 3. Julia Kelk, 23:52.  4. Claire-Louise Whiley, 24:12. 5. Kay Reddy, 24:54. 6. Claire McCarthy, 25:00. 7. Julianne Potgieter, 25:09. 8. Sally Blackmore, 27:12. 9. Rosmund Johnson, 27:15. 10. Samantha Sukhu, 27:28. 11. Adenike Sicard, 27:30. 12. Anna Kinkead, 27:38. 13. Jenny McIvor, 27:59. 14. Philomena Robertson, 28:45. 15. Stephanie Russ-Penn, 30:58. 16. Roslyn Gilbert, 32:19. 17. Shirley Liburd, 33:37. 18. Clair Burke, 35:51. 19. Ghislaine Hoogendijk, 36:45. 20. Ashphil Robertson, 39:54.

Power Walking, Men: 1. Michael Burns . 2. Peter Moll. Women: 1. Asha Johnson. 2. Linda Li. 3. Kimberly Burns, 4. Jenny McLeary. 5. Sheroma Rawlins. 6. Sophie Bennett. 7. Toi King. 8. Norma Benjamin. 9. Marilyn Nibbs.

Overall 5K Series winners: 1. James Carr. 2. Steven Asson. Ravi Sukhu. Women: 1. Katrina Crumpler. 2. NiMade Oniasih. 3. Claire Louise-Whiley.

Power Walking, Men: 1. Peter Moll. 2. Michael Burns. 3. Gerald Rose. Women: 1.  Asha Johnson and Linda Li. 2. Jenny McLeary.  3. Sheroma Rawlins and Toi King.  4. Faith Dawson

Division Winners; Men: U10.  1. Luka Chalwell. U13 1. Stefano Tasking. 2.  Kai Chalwell. 20-29: Raheem “Ras” Taylor. 30-39: 1. Anthony Thom.  2. Filip Kreutzer.  2. Patrick Ormond. 3. Andrew Willins.  4. Marvin Flax. 5. Stephen Beard. 40-49: 1. Zebalon McLean.  2. Joe Standish. 3. Chris Ghiorse. 50-59:1. Emrol Amsterdam.  2. Adrian Dale.  3. Howard Moore.  Women: U20: Ashphil Robertson. 30-39:1. Philomena Robertson.  2. Claire McCarthy. 3. Adenike Sicard. 4. Kelly Boss. 5. Stephanie Russ-Penn. 6. Elizabeth Buratti-Clifton. 40-49: 1. Rosmond Johnson. 2. Ghislaine Hoogendijk.

50-59: 1. Kay Reddy. 2. Barbara O’Neal. 60+ Shirley Liburd.