Local runners laced up their running shoes Saturday morning to support ARTfarm, LLC and take on the unique challenge of pace prediction at the second annual Farm-To-Park Prediction Run. The five-mile, point-to-point course stretched from ARTfarm to the St. Croix East End Marine Park, offering both a scenic route and a test of runners’ pace awareness.
Before the race began, each participant submitted a prediction of their finishing time — with no watches or timing devices allowed during the run. Among the 20 runners who took part, 16-year-old Ayden Cintron, one of St. Croix’s top youth distance athletes, came closest to his prediction. Cintron estimated a 33-minute finish and completed the course in 33:21.
David Lewis secured second place, finishing just 25 seconds off his predicted time, while Dr. Esther Ellis claimed third, missing her estimate by only 34 seconds.
Although the event was centered around predicting one’s pace, the St Croix Road Racing Committee also acknowledged the fastest runners in the field. The top three men were Nathan Langley, Ayden Cintron, and David Lewis. Among the women, Bridget Klein claimed top honors, followed by Esther Ellis and Megan Mault.
The event blended friendly competition with community support of ARTfarm, LLC, which suffered damage to their farm equipment during the bush fires on Southside Rd a few weeks ago. The St Croix Road Racing Committee dedicated the race proceeds to the owner of ARTfarm, LLC, Luca Gasperi, who was present at the finish to accept the funds.
