The running of the 32nd West Indies Lab 5-Mile Road Race Saturday morning on St. Croix’s East End Road originated in the mind of its founder, who thought of the idea of inviting marine science students, staff and faculty associated with Farleigh Dickenson University, who studied marine science at its West Indies Lab, to take part in a five-mile run from the lab to Estate Green Cay. Basically, it established a friendly competition between the visiting runners and local ones, who welcomed the opportunity to take on the challenge.
In particular, two staff members at the lab, Betsy Gladfelter and her husband Bill, became two of the all-time great V.I. endurance athletes. Betsy represented the V.I. in two IAAF World Cross-Country Championships — 1983 at Meadowlands, N.J. and 1985 in Neuchatal, Switzerland. She was a multiple winner of the V.I. McDonald’s Half- Marathon when it alternated between St. Thomas and St. Croix. Bill, also a runner, over the years was the top cyclist.
These days, the run results are determined by the runners who designate the time they think they will complete the challenging 5-mile course and who come closest to doing so.
By coincidence, Jack Ramsdell of Good Hope Country Day School pulled a double Saturday as he was the first runner across the finish line with a time of 34:27 and the closest to predict with a time of 35:10; Jason Snow was second 39:14/40:00; Paul Evora third 39:05/40:05; fourth Brice Richards 39:07/40:16; fifth Bridget Klein 45:21;47:00.
Complete List of the Finishers, Place, Time/Predicted Time
1. Jack Ramsdell St. Croix Track Club/GHCD 34:27
2. Jason Snow 39:14/40:00
3. Paul Evora 39:05/40:05
4. Brice Richards GHCD 39:07/40:16
5. Bridget Klein 45:21;47:00
6. Colt Cook 34:43/36:30
7. Nayan Bansal GHCD 34:54/37:00
8. Brook Myers 44:12/46:30
9. Heidi Snow 45:21/47:00
10. Randall Nielsen 40:53/43:50
11. Brad Lenhart 38:14/42:00
12. Rey Lutz 1:16,09/1:22/30
13. Savannah Logan 40:34/45:00
14. Myah Russell 52:05/56:46
15. Olga Capriola 57:23/52:30
16. Florendo Astropabio 49:53/55:00
17. Mike Klein 43:55/38:45
18. Megan Lambert 44:27/50:00
19. Rachel Conoff GHCD 39:07/45:30
20. David Conoff GHCD 52:05/56:46
21. Ryan Barry 43:19/54:00
Next event: The 4H/V.I.Pace Runners Cross-Country Series (race No. 2) from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday at UVI St. Croix.
For information: e-mail isv@mf.iaaf.org wallacewilliams@msn.com, call 643-2557 or logon to: http://virginislandspace.org
