Ruben Stoby, left and Rosmond Johnson were the winners in Saturday's Dive BVI 5K on Virgin Gorda, where Stoby set a course record of 18 minutes and 41 seconds. PHOTOS; Todd Van Sickle
MARCH 10--After just over a year away, Ruben Stoby returned to the territory then showed his fitness level by winning Saturday's Dive BVI 5K Series race on Virgin Gorda, becoming the third winner in as many races--this time by smashing the course record.
Stoby navigated the loop in the Valley in 18 minutes and 41 seconds to finish ahead of Julius Farley--who won the last race--and followed in 19:40. Virgin Gorda resident Curwin Andrews was third in 20:00.
"I was still competing in Guyana, but, it's good to be back," Stoby said. "I felt very comfortable this morning and I'm happy with my run. I didn't really push it. But, in the coming events--especially the 5K on Tortola--I see there's more competition there so I'm excited."
Stoby had some concerns since he was unable to train leading up to the race. "I was careful not to spend myself too early," he explained. "I just sat comfortably behind the race leaders and made my move on the return where it's mostly downhill. I believe I could go a lot faster--but wow, a course record--that's great."
Tortola resident Rosmond Johnson won the women's division for the second time in 22:27. "Today's race was nice and easy--and I had no competition," Johnson noted. "I'm not surprised. I didn't see anyone behind me and I said 'this is going to be my race.' When I'm in Tortola, I have more competition. Kat (Crumpler) and Tallulah (Kinkead) they are always ahead of me. I probably would be stressed (if they were here) but I didn't stress at all."
The race, which attracted 65 participants, raised $600 for St. Mary's School, whose students assisted with registration, water stops, cheering and started the race.
"We had an amazing turnout, ranging in age from four to 70," race director Casey McNutt noted. "There were a lot of new faces this morning. We hadn't seen a lot of these people in our first two races, so, it was nice to have more in the community come out."
Final Results. Men: 1. Ruben Stoby, 18 minutes and 41 seconds. 2. Julian Farley, 19:40. 3. Curwin Andrews, 20:00. 4. Ravindra Sukhu, 20:08. 5. Zeblon McLean, 20:40. 6. Emrol Amsterdam, 20:46. 7. Keith Williams, 21:23. 8. Kevin Jackson, 22:23. 9. Rainford Legair, 23:07,.10. Jermain Abram,s 25:06. 11. Matt Crossman, 25:55. 12. Craig Ruetzel, 25:58. 13. Brian Hespriah, 26:14. 14. Dan Hewison, 27:07. 15. Wilbert Samuel, 30:21. 16. Scott Butz, 30:25. 17. Lewis Munn, 31:10. 18. Stephen Beard, 31:49. 19. Noah Fox, 35:26,.20. Zoltan Birinyi, 35:59. 21. Indi Abrams, 36:41. 22. Bob Gause, 38:22. 23. Atlas VanSickle, 39:24. 24. Doug Daren, 44:24. 25. Murry Maxwell, 44:24. 26. Lars Giersing, 46:09. 27. Ron Callan, 46:53.
Women:1. Rosmond Johnson, 22:27. 2. Lara Burt, 26:48. 3. Lissa Eidelman, 27:07. 4. Lindsey Wilson, 28:27. 5. Barbara Rhodes, 29:23. 6. Aman Bispham 29:23. 7. Lisa Redfern, 29:34. 8. Leanne Munn, 29:35. 9. Arielle Goodley, 29:38. 10. Ghislaine Hoojendijk, 29:40. 11. Becca Knight, 29:58. 12. Roslyn Gilbert, 30:15. 13. AJ Syrett, 31:13. 14. Clair Burke, 32:11. 15. Tara Murphy, 32:22.16. Sally-Ann Riley, 35:27. 17. Kia Edwards, 35:29. 18. Mary Dann, 37:28. 19. Chris Yates, 39:07. 20. Sarah VanName, 39:30. 21. Beth Besom, 39:30. 22. Judy Gause, 40:26. 23. Debbie Ridgeway, 45:39. 24. Kya Ridgeway, 45:39. 25. Linda Giersing, 46:09. 26. Penny Callan, 46:58. 27. Kim Beradine, 47:29. 28. Tieneke Louw, 47:29. 29. Betty Biancardi, 48:33. 30. Lynn Hawkins, 48:33, 31. Linda Li 49:31, 32. Sophie Bennett 49:31, 33. Arlyn Gordon 1:00:19, 34. Aiko VanSickle, 1:00:19. 35. Eva Fox, 1:02:15. 36. Amy Riddlestorffer, 1:02:16. 37. Michela Paradisi, 1:02:16. 38. DNF Milli Abrams.