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Two Fastest Runners in the Territory Team-Up to Win Beach Relay

Oct. 9, 2005 – The Annual Virgin Islands Pace Runners Coast Weeks Beach Relay at Ha Penny Beach on St. Croix was won by the two fastest distance runners in the territory: veteran George Jules, and premier high school runner Juan Robles of St. Croix Central High School. Eleven teams of two runners were at the starting line on one of St. Croix's most popular beaches. Jules was the leadoff runner and posted a time of 12 minutes and 23 seconds for the first two miles; Robles carried the team to victory with an 11:17 second leg; their winning time was 23:40. The St. Croix Central High School had four teams in the race with the team of Cesar Tapia and Leonardo Reyes taking second place with a time of 28:39; the third place team, and the first mixed team, was Keith Smith and Mirelle Smith with a time of 29:08.
The entry-free event was part of the International Coastal Cleanup week organized by the Ocean Conservancy. Participants in the relay annually pick-up debris and trash on the beach, record what they pick-up and submit the data for analysis. According to Wallace Williams, event organizer, "Many of us recall how badly trashed the beach and surrounding area was when we held the first race here years ago. When Barbara Taylor, a former top local runner and tri-athlete, introduced the Ocean Conservancy project, we took to it. The first time we had two truckloads of trash. Today, thanks to improved public response to help clean up our beaches and its greater sense of respect for our beautiful environment, we only have a few small bags of trash to report."
The Finishers:
1.George Jules/Juan Robles, V.I. Pace Runners, 23:40
2. Cesar Tapia/LeonardoReyes, St. Croix Central High School (CHS), 28:39
3. Keith Smith/Miereilles Smith, Burnley Dragons, 29:08
4. Colin Daugherty/Rachel Witty, Trio We, 30:30
5. Earthla Augustin/Errol Chichester, Guavaberry, 32:06
6. CidBennie Ayala/Jochebed Harris, CHS, 32:58
7. Casmona Robinson/Leonard Reyes, CHS, 33:25
8. Larry Williams/Stuart Ketchum, Broken Wheels, 35:26
9. Shelly Matherne/Marie Elise Witmer, Hope In Motion, 38:02
10. Edmondo Octaviani/Jack Branch, Evening Runners, 39:18
No time Jose Ramirez/Lisandro CHS?
The next event on the V.I. Pace Runners Calendar is the 4-H Cross Country Series (race No. 1) on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m., at UVI St. Croix Campus. Races: 1 mile elementary, 2 miles JV, 3.1 miles varsity and open.
For more information logon to: http://virginislandspace.org, or call
643-2557 or 643-2557.

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