Dec. 30, 2007 – The Virgin Islands Pace Runners will stage the 6th St. Croix International Marathon at 5 a.m., on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, in Frederiksted. The 26.2-mile race will start at Plaza Extra (west) on Queen Mary Highway and continue to the Vincent Mason Pool, along the shore to Hamm's Bluff, into the Rain Forest and back to Frederiksted (to and from Hamm's Bluff twice) to finish at the Ann Abramson Pier.
It is open to all who are 18 years and older, trained and capable of completing the 26.2- mile distance. The race will be supported by the Virgin Islands Police Department, St. Croix Rescue and volunteers.
The small field of runners includes participants from Canada, Spain, Italy, England, the United States and the V.I. John "Maddog" Wallace, of Longboat Key, Fla., who has run more than 290 marathons in 87 countries, will be running in the race. He has run marathons in all 50 States in the United States twice, in all 13 provinces and territories of Canada, and on all 7 continents. He is the only runner to complete a marathon in every country in Europe. (Photos of his marathon trips can be viewed at www.maddog.smugmug.com).
Topping the field of local runners are Theresa Harper, winner of the race four times, as well as race and course record holder with 3:40.21; William Bohlke, who finished second last year and holds the race and course record of 2:50.25; and Steve Burkholder, winner of the race in 2005 and second-place finisher in 2006. Ernest Mitchell, former teacher on St. Croix, is back, as are Heidi Snow (second in 2005), Richard Jeanpierre, Charles Martin and Errol Chichester.
The motoring public is requested to respect the runners, as they will be starting in the dark and using public roads. The early start is for the safety of the runners as it provides cooler temperatures.
For the first time, the race course is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races and the International Association of Athletic Federations, making runners who run specified times qualified for the Olympic Games, Boston Marathon, the IAAF World Championships and other major marathons. Top finishers in the race will share $2,600 in prize money.
Race packet pick-up is 10 a.m. to noon, on Monday, Dec. 31, at the Florence Williams Public Library, Christiansted. There will be a course tour at noon.
For information, call 643-2557, or e-mail: wallacewilliams@msn.com
