On the final day of Kwanzaa, the St Thomas Association of Roadrunners (STAR) conducted its annual Kwanzaa 7-kilometer and 2-mile runs for the Rwanda Project-USVI. The 7-kilometer event commemorates the seven principles of Kwanzaa, one for each day. The seventh principle for the final day of Kwanzaa is Imani (faith). Proceeds from the race as well as additional donations of entrants will be donated to the Rwanda Project, which raises funds to send high school students to do volunteer work while meeting people and being exposed to the inspiring culture and society of Rwanda. Applicants to the Project must be high school students 16 years or older. More information as well as application materials can be obtained at www.rwandaprojectusvi.org
The courses were changed from the previous year, but both the men’s and the women’s sections of Sunday’s run resulted in times faster than last year’s event. Lekesha Moore’s time (33:18) now represents the women’s record for the new course. Shane DeGannes set the male record for the new course (25:30) — almost 5 minutes better than winning times for the last several years. Second for the males was Sherrif Mohammed with a time of 29:39 ahead of Steve Laplace, who finished third in 29:55. Behind him came 15-year-old Lukata Samuel, who took the gold in his age category in 31:19. For the women, Simone Francis finished second in 36:05 and 10-year-old Brittany Leonard gamely took third in 43:14.
Both female and male winners of the 2-mile race were young people: Nikole Barnes led males as well as females with a winning time of 18:13 followed by 12-year-old D’Ajahni Peterson (19:22). Other outstanding sub-teen finishers were Jonathon and Joshua Gomez and Ishmael Raban. Among senior runners, STAR regular Roy Rogers (19:23) was first followed by Walter Bostwick. The second and third adult female finishers were Shaun Pennington and Gail Deller. A variety of age group awards recognized the relative performances of both younger and older finishers within their respective age groups.
STAR’s next event is the Martin Luther King 5-kilometer run that will start from Vitraco Park at 7:15 a.m. on Jan. 17. Then the 30th Annual Women’s Jogger Jam will take place on Jan. 29.
Complete results follow below. For additional information contact Roy Watlington at 777-8183. Overall Results of the 2012 Kwanzaa Run, Jan. 1, (Imani)
7-Km Run and Walk
Men
1) Shane Degannes 25:30
2) Sherrif Mohammed 29:39
3) Steve Laplace 29:55
4) Jason Cohen 30:56
5) Lukata Samuel 31:19
6) Peter Smith 31:52
7) Jason Budsan 33:15
Women
1) Lakesha Moore 33:18
2) Simone Francis 36:05
3) Brittany Leonard 43:14
2-Mile Run and Walk
Men
1) D’Ajahni Petersen 19:22
2) Roy Rogers 19:23
3) Walter Bostwick 23:12
4) Jonathon Gomez 23:37
5) Joshua Gomez 24:30
6) Ishmael Paban 30:52
Women
1) Nikole Barnes 18:13
2) Shaun Pennington 29:43
3) Gail Deller 34:11
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.
Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.
7-Km Run and Walk
