On Sunday, Jan 20, the Scenic 50-mile foot race saw a record number of competitors tackle the scenic, historic course that went from historic Fort Christianvaern over Scenic Road to the highest point on the island of St. Croix to sea level and just past Fort Frederik; it then went back the same route to the finish at the Buccaneer Resort. At the start line were 13 runners in the 50-mile, 15 runners in the 50km, and 5 relay teams.
The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation (VITFF) sanctioned the competition as the Virgin Islands National Championship for ultra-distance races. Perfect conditions throughout the day set up for a fast race.
This year, Billy Bolhke, who has held multiple national records in middle distance, long distance and the marathon, was determined to beat the record, and his training and preparation were evident to anyone who watched him race. He finished 1st overall in a time of 7:50:53 and set a new course record.
Coming in 2nd overall was Jessica Carter, last year’s overall champion. This was her third time in a row winning the event, and as the old saying goes: the “third time was the charm.” Carter also set a new women’s record in a time of 8:22:27.
In the 50km, Jack Pilla of Vermont got out to an early lead but was followed closely behind by Kat Brownsdon. She took the lead nearing halfway, and Pilla took a wrong turn that cost him the course record, but he was still about to hang on to win the men’s division. Brownsdon kept her fast pace and crushed the old record by an hour.
The relay division saw last year’s winning team of Megan Lambert, Esther Ellis and Julie Sommer trying to run down their own course records. The Crushers were able to lower their record to a time of 6:49:56.
50 Mile Individuals:
1) Billy Bolhke 7:50:53 *new course/race record
2) Jessica Carter 8:22:27 *new course/race record
3) Letitia Dusich 8:47:13
4) George Forbes 9:41:50
5) Catherine Seguin 10:14:44
6) Lauren Gabler 10:14:44
7) Adam Branoff 10:24:54
8) Gregory Dekeyser 11:42:00
9) Ian Norton 12:23:15
10) Rob Wolfe 12:24:39
11) Amy Fanella 12:50:08
12) Tyler Pazik 12:50:08
13) Dexter Litwiller 13:26:32
50km Individuals:
1) Kat Brownsdon 5:00:35 *new course record
2) Allison Janusziewicz 5:22:50
3) Mercedes Siegle-Gaither 5:45:56
4) Jack Pilla 6:05:10
5) Kirstin Stutzman 6:05:33
6) Mike Klein 6:24:56
7) Troy Holloway 6:29:43
8) Adam Uliczny 6:39:30
9) Shari Bashaw 6:56:47
10) Kristin Lundy 7:18:01
11) Jessica Archambault 7:36:50
12) Nora Zedick 7:36:50
13) Kristin Land 7:36:50
14) Jaclyn Roback 7:36:50
15) Jennifer Sorrell DNF
50-Mile Relay
1) The Crushers 6:49:56 *new course record
Megan, Esther, Julie, Bridget
2) A Senior and the Seniors 7:53:41
Wayne Nichols, David Conhoff, Dominic Pugliese, Nayan Bansal
3) The KEDS 8:35:56
Savannah Logan, Keziah Sullivan, Emma Dooley, Dulcie Crowther
4) Two Fast Two Furious 10:26:49
Ashley Ruffo, Kevin Miner, Kelly Simon, Charles
5) ACAR DNF
Ana Gutierrez, Crystal Culhane, Amy Roberts, Rachel Smith
