V.I.Pace Runners Releases Results of St. Croix Scenic 50

The running of the St. Croix Scenic 50 took place on Jan. 27. This year’s event featured seven individual 50-milers, five 50-km runners, and five relay teams. The individual 50 mile serves as the VI National Championship for ultra-marathons.

In the individual 50-mile, Billy Bolhke took the early lead. This was his second year competing in the 50-mile and his goal was to improve his time from last year. He was overtaken around mile 30 by this year’s overall winner Jessica Carter. It was her 2^nd year competing as well, and while her goal was to improve like Bohlke, she also had her sights on the women’s course record. Carter won the race in a time of 8:49:49, which is just short of the course record for women but does rank her in the top 10 overall for 50 miles.

Billy Bohlke was the first male finisher and 2^nd overall. He finished in a time of 9:48:28. Finishing 3^rd overall and 2^nd male was reigning 50-mile champion and current race director Mike Klein.

Brian Todd of Indiana led the way for the 50 km runners. Todd signed up the day before and was first to cross the finish line in a time of 5:36:27. Michael Sheesley of St. Thomas was the 2^nd place finisher in a time of 6:26:39. The women’s race saw Catherine Seguin (St. Croix) and Lauren Gabler (Va.) running together for the shared victory. Lauren came to the race to visit Catherine; afterwards she said, “I had so much fun running the race – what a way to see the island.”

The relay event takes runners over the same course as the individual 50- mile runners, but teams can use two, three or four runners to cover the course. The Crushers were able to set a new all-women’s team record of 6:58;23. The winning relay team was comprised of Megan Lambert, Esther Ellis, Julie Sommer and Bridget Klein.

Overall Results-

50 Mile Individuals:

• Jessica Carter 8:49:49
• Billy Bohlke 9:48:28
• Mike Klein 11:00:33
• Kai Griebenow 11:57:09
• Sissel Holloway 12:17:50
• Troy Holloway 12:17:51

Dexter Litwiller     DNF

50 KM Individuals:

• Brian Todd 5:36:27
• Michael Sheesley 6:26:39
• Catherine Seguin 7:02:01
• Lauren Gabler 7:02:01
• Ona Alpert 8:12:37

50 Mile Relays:

• The Crushers 6:58:23

Megan Lambert, Esther Ellis, Julie Sommer, Bridget Klein

• AlliKat and SnowPaul 7:42:57

Paul Evora, Heidi Snow, Kat Brownsdon, Allison Janusziewicz

• #NoSweat 7:44:00

Letisha Dusich, Crystal Culhane

• Rapid Thigh Movement 8:02:25

Ana Gutierrez, Kirstin Stutzman, Claire Draudt, Kat Brownsdon

• Wayne’s World 9:26:00

Wayne Nichols, Michael Bourque, Patrick Cox, Jay Beckstoffer