Shane DeGannes takes water at the final water stop during the 2012 BVI Half Marathon
OCTOBER 5—St. Thomas’ Shane DeGannes and Ruth Ann David have confirmed they will defend their respective men and women’s division titles in the 8th Deloite/Oiger BVI Half Marathon schedule for Nov 30 on Tortola.
DeGannes led from start to finish to win in 1 hour 25 minutes flat last year and is looking to chop about five minutes off that time. David—despite taking a wrong turn—missed Meriel Stedman’s 2011 women’s course record by 10 seconds when she ran 1:34.19.
“Training has been going well, I just started a couple weeks ago getting my mileage in and I’m definitely looking forward to coming back to the BVI Half Marathon this year,” DeGannes said. “Right now, a lot of my energies have been going into races that I’m race director for.”
DeGannes said looking at his training log from last year, he said he has more distance in than he did last year around this time. “Realistically, I want to go under 1:20,” he said, noting he’s not sure if Trinidad and Tobago’s Curtis Cox—a former champ—is returning but he had been running good times in his homeland. “I’m keeping my eyes on him and he has been running fast up to a few weeks ago so he’s in shape. Maybe a 1:18 time would be good but definitely something under 1:20.”
DeGannes who debuted last year said knowing the course is an advantage. “There’s not much elevation so it makes it a wonderful course to compete on,” he said. “It’s not a demanding course.”
David said she’s excited and looking forward to returning to run on Tortola. “I just started training after taking off for summer. “It’s the first time I’ve ever taken off from running but I think I needed it,” she said. “I did other things, but, I started running about a month ago so I should be fine not that I’m putting in the distance.”
Coming within 10 seconds of the course record, David said she’s going to push for a time under 1:33. “I can do it, I just have to push until it’s done,” she said. “I’ll have to pick up the pace because I know the course. I have to make sure I have hydration, lots of water. But, I can’t wait to see everyone. It’s going to be a great race.”
Pre registration is already in progress and costs $50 prior to Nov 1. From Nov 1 through Nov 29 the registration fee is $55 and $60 on race day. Final registration on Nov 29 will be held between 5:30-7 p.m. at the Tortola Sports Club in Pasea, where participants will collect bib numbers, event T-shirt, breakfast voucher and course information. Registration will not be available on the morning of the race.
Participants all-you-can-eat Pasta carbo load dinner during registration can be obtained for $8.00 per head.
Race information can be obtained from Kay Reddy via email at: kay.reddy@blenheimbvi.com