Running on a course he practically was raised on, Sheldon Williams won the annual Olympic Day Run 2 Mile on Saturday.
Williams tore up the flat, out-and-back course that started at the Fort Frederik Museum to Rainbow Beach and then back. He led a dedicated group of some 30 runners across the finish line in 10 minutes and 58 seconds.
Theresa Harper, running the race for the first time, led the women in 13 minutes and 1 second. They joined a group of young runners, who are being trained by Sheldon William’s father, Dr. Marlon Williams. The runners call themselves "Billy Goat Massive."
Dr. Williams, a four-time Olympian and Vice President of the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, represented the VIOC. He talked about the Olympic movement, the preparation for the upcoming Sydney Olympics and presented awards.
Jeremy Laurent was the second place mens finisher in 11:31; George Willocks was third in 12:05; Bromley Martin fourth in 12:12; Kemron Butler fifth in 12:43 and Gunnar Sunden sixth in 13:12.
Earthla Arthur was the second place woman in 13:46; Dana Branch third in 16:18; Niarus Benjamin fourth in 16:42; Ellen Donovan fifth in 16:43 and Anna Kowalska was sixth in 16:58.
The Olympic run is held annually around the world and is sponsored by the International Olympic Committee and the International Amateur Athletic Federation. It is hosted by the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation and organized by The Virgin Islands Pace Runners.
Each runner received special Olympic Certificates, Olympic t-shirt and a Virgin Islands Olympic Pin. This year a special raffle was set for the runners who ran under 12 minutes, under 14 minutes under 16 minutes and everyone else.
Sheldon Williams won a Lime tree, Bromley Martin a Mango tree, Ryan Smith a Lime tree and Robin Franks (a gift from Jason Williams, the raffle winner and Jason's classmate) a Lime Tree. These runners agreed to plant and care for their tree over the next Olympiad, to share good words and thoughts on the experience on race day 2004.
The Finishers Male: 1.Sheldon Williams 10:58; 2. Jeremy Laurent 11:31; 3. George Willocks 12:05l; 4. Bromley 12:12; 5. Kemron Butler 12:42; 6. Gunnar Sanden 13:12; 7. Donald Shillingford 13:38; 8. Luke Frederick 14:25; 9. Michael Palicia 14:31; 10. Angel Rodriqez 14:38; 11. Ryan Smith 14:39; 12. Jim Hollis 14:46; 13. Milton Francis 15:52; 14. Tom Alcon 15:53; 15. Jack Branch 17:10; 16. Robin Franks 18:44; 17. Jason Williams 20:03; 18. Peter Brown 21:08; 19. Canute Brodhurst 25:47
The Finishers Female: 1.Theresa Harper 13:01; 2. Earthla Arthur 13:46; 3. Dana Branch 16:18; 4. Niarus Benjamin 16:42; 5. Ellen Donovan 16:43; 6. Anna Kowalska 16:58; 7. Nomalina Martin 22:20; 8. Alifa Devora 25:11; 9. Anika Nicholas 25:39; 10. Lauria Knight 27:49; 11. Linel Williams 27:49; 12. Alvina M. Martin 34:30; 13. Donela Shillingford 34:31; 14. Pamela Shillingford 38:09; 14. Pat Oliver 38:09.
The next race on the V.I. Pace Runners’ schedule is the Emancipation Day "Run Free" on July 3 at 7 a.m. in Frederiksted.
