Hurricane Matthew had far-reaching impact on the shores of St. Croix. For years — in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands V.I. Marine Advisory Service, V.I. Waste Management Authority and the Ocean Conservancy — the V.I.Pace Runners has organized the CoastWeeks Beach Relay. The free race, held on Saturday, Oct. 8, was followed by a beach clean-up. The accumulation of seaweed and the erosion of the beach at Ha’ penny Beach is the venue for the annual 2 x 2 mile CoastWeeks Beach Relay.
Kevin Mathews and Juan Robles of St. Croix Central High School took first place honors for the student/coach team. Their winning time was 24:36; Nayan Bansal and Dominic Puglise of Good Hope Country Day School took second place in 25:08; Trejon Ali and Koby Fabio of CHS third in 29:52; Shaun Abel and Kristopher Fabio of CHS fourth 29:53; Mikeala Smith and Gregory Gibson St. Croix Track Club fifth in 29:54; Anais Alicea and Mollie Nadler sixth 32:04; Anelia Austrie and Danielle Joseph SCTC seventh in 34:16; Dulcie Crowther and Randle Nielsen eighth 34:59; Juscenia Tuitt and Brianna Bruce SCTC ninth in 35:29; Sam Cole and Cooper Crowther GHCD tenth 37:17; Mary Rogers and Andres Zaleta eleventh 40:41; Keshaun Abel and Chanille Hendricks CHS twelfth 52:09;
There was a minimal amount of trash on the beach this year as compared to some 15 years ago when the participants rounded up over a pickup truck load of trash.
The next event on the V.I.Pace Runners calendar is the 4H/V.I.Pace Runners Cross-Country Series at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix Campus, followed by the annual West Indies Lab 5-Mile at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15.
For information e-mail wallacewilliams@msn.com
