Amid lots of "whews" and huffing and puffing, 200 women jogged, walked and ran Sunday afternoon in the 17th annual Women's Jogger Jam.
The event, traditionally sponsored by the Fruit Bowl, stared from their Wheatley Center location.
The beneficiary of the event, Victim Advocates Inc., was given an additional boost when Dependable Car Rentals matched the $5 that the Fruit Bowl yearly awards for each finisher. A grateful Lynn Falkenthal, the organization's executive director, said, "The donation was a complete surprise. I'm delighted."
Anita Davis of Radio One was an avid runner. "This is the fourth run for me and the best I've ever felt," she said.
Echoing Davis'enthusiasm were Mary Wick of Horizon Physical Therapy, Jeni Smith Bolt, and, of course, Judy Grybowski, who finished second in her age group.
Tara Richardson with her ready smile, passed out water and fruit to the eager participants. Marty Goldberg was ever present, availing his store's facilities. Free massages were donated by Lynn Edy who was kept very busy.
The two-mile course couldn't really be called a cakewalk. Starting at the hospital entrance, it wound up around Fortress Storage, the Sugar Estate Post Office and back to the entrance for a second lap.
Some surprise was expressed at the relatively low number of entrants this year, but what was lacked in numbers was made up in spirit, with one mother pushing a stroller.
St. Croix and St. John were both represented with Jude Woodcock of St. John taking top overall honors with her 12:47-minute run. It will come as no surprise that Woodcock is a tri-athlete.
Winner in the under-18 year category was Kay Joseph with 14:10; 20 to 29 was Lisa Arlington at 17:08; 30 to 39, Charlotte Morris with 13;39; 40 to 49, Suzanne Getz at 14:21; 50 to 59, Carole Goldberg, 17:22; and Diane Thomas topped the 60-plus at 23 flat.
A mix-up occurred in the awards, with some contestants having to return their blue and gold trophies. According to event organizer Therese Hodge, tags pulled from the race numbers were incorrectly stacked, leading to the confusion.
Editor's note: Read Molly Morris' account of her 10 minutes of glory — she won a trophy, only to have to return it — under Commentary/Op-ed.
