80.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesHundreds of Women Turn Out for 32nd Annual Jogger Jam

Hundreds of Women Turn Out for 32nd Annual Jogger Jam

Race organizer Theresa Hodge calls out the race rules.The Wheatley Shopping Center parking lot was packed with more than 300 women joggers Sunday for the 32nd year of one of the biggest foot races on St. Thomas: the Annual Women’s Jogger Jam.

By 4 p.m., women of all ages occupied the area in front of Fruit Bowl – from 60-somethings down to the six and younger to babies in strollers pushed by their mothers, all geared up for the run.

Race organizer Therese Hodge, who had been organizing Jogger Jam for 12 years, belted out the race rules to the joggers at the starting line, outlining the race route and making sure the toddlers who, she said, tend not to run in a straight line, got moved farther to the back of the crowd to avoid accidents.

The race started promptly at 4:30 p.m. The joggers’ two-lap route wound around the back of the Schneider Regional Medical Center, turned right toward Fortress Storage, made a turn toward Lockhart Elementary School, then left again toward Wheatley Shopping Center. Joggers rans past police vehicles stationed at key intersections to direct traffic, and emergency rescue vans on standby.

The annual event, hosted by Fruit Bowl and the St. Thomas Roadrunners Association, benefits the Family Resource Center, which gets 70 percent of the proceeds. The remaining 30 percent goes to the Roadrunners, who use the money toward similar community events. In addition to proceeds from the entry fees, Fruit Bowl donates $5 to the Center for every registered jogger who successfully completes the races.

Joggers and walkers take off Sunday in the 32nd Jogger Jam.“It’s always wonderful to see everybody enthusiastic,” said Fruit Bowl owner Marty Goldberg, who stood at the finish line, cheering runners on the last leg of the race. “We get them from babies to great grandmas. Hopefully, we’ll have 300 to 400 finishers.”

Goldberg was on the mark. Sunday’s event drew 327 registered joggers, a substantial number that would mean more funds raised for the Family Resource Center, said Hodge.

The first Joggers’ Jam was initiated in 1981 by former University of the Virgin Islands President Laverne Ragster and organized by the Roadrunners, according to Hodge. At the time, it only gathered about 80 runners, including Hodge and Ragster, who were running partners.

“That was before running was popular, especially among women,” explained Hodge. “Back in the ’80s and ’90s, we had women runners but nothing like this.”

Two years after the first Jogger Jam, Fruit Bowl joined in as a major sponsor and has been supporting the event ever since.

“We thought it was wonderful idea,” said Goldberg, whose wife, daughter and granddaughters were among Sunday’s runners. “Most of our customers are women. There are a lot of races where men and women run together, and the women are somewhat intimidated. We just thought it would be a good match and we just love doing it.”

Catherine Godfrey displays her trophy from the six and younger age group.The joggers showed equal enthusiasm and good will, making the event more of a community get-together than an actual race.

“There’s such a camaraderie between the ladies who come out,” said participant Pamela Montegut, who considered Jogger Jam a warm-up to St. John’s upcoming 8 Tuff Miles in February. “It’s a nice little run, such a great feeling, and it supports the Family Resource Center, a group that does so much for this community.”

Hodge, who carried the event, according to Goldberg, passed on the praises to the event’s volunteers, including representatives from Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, the Roadrunners, and the men of the Wrestling Association, who took charge of the water stops. Shane De Gannes, who spearheaded the M2M Race late in 2013, was at the Jogger Jam finish line, giving instructions to finishers.

The entire race took all of an hour, but the energy and enthusiasm from joggers, organizers and supporters alike gave Hodge high hopes for the next Jogger Jam.

“The sport has evolved,” she said. “There are a lot more walkers out there. We try to keep the race manageable for them, so everybody can participate.”

The winners of the 32nd Annual Women’s Jogger Jam follow:

Overall Winner: Ruth Ann David

School Challenge: VI Montessori School and International Academy

Organization Winner: Seventh Day Adventist Women’s Ministry

Age categories
Six and younger
First: Zindzhi Ottley
Second: Devin De Gannes
Third: Katherine Godfrey

Seven to 12
First: Shiah David
Second: Kala Anspacher
Third: Avajayne Parfitt

13 to 18
First: Talisse Thompson
Second: Alison Bartsch
Third: Alexis Boston

19 to 29
First: Ashley Smith
Second: Chana Lavfer
Third: Bernelda Thomas

30 to 39
First: Tiara Kappel
Second: Lisa Parfitt
Third: Edmonia Martinez


40 to 49

First: Kerstin McConnell
Second: Christine Sheehan
Third: Monique Simon

50 to 59
First: Laura Kline
Second: Laurina Dan Forte
Third: Mida Gaikwad

60 to 69
First: Candace Grant
Second: Carole Goldberg
Third: Lori Emery

70 and Older
First: Marcy Offerdahl
Second: Margaret Gehnrich
Third: Vianthe Baynes

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
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.