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HomeNewsLocal sportsResults Given of STAR’s 35th Annual Founders’ 5K Walk/Run

Results Given of STAR’s 35th Annual Founders’ 5K Walk/Run

History: 32nd Founders’ Day roadrunners ready to go

As has happened for this event in several previous years, early morning rains preceded Sunday’s Annual Founders Day Walk/Run but held up and provided cooling cloud cover for 20 walkers and runners over the 3.1-mile course. This was the 35th commemoration of the first road race organized and attended in 1982 by persons who would become founders of the St. Thomas Association of Roadrunners (STAR) and would offer running and walking events for the exercise minded community. Last year’s event was cancelled for the first time in 35 years by hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Running unchallenged for the second half of the race, Madison Van Heurck finished ahead of all runners in the time of 21:31, claiming first in the 30-and-under age group. Fifty seconds behind him was first over-30 male Antonio Maysonett, an occasional winner of past STAR events.

Leading all women by six minutes, Mo Spruyt finished with the faster males in 26:07. Maria Rodrigues was first among the over-30 women. There were strong second place finishes by Orion Stapleton, Brad Kappel, Charlotte Van Heurck and Mida Gaikwad.

Not present to challenge the new upcoming generation was Shane DeGannes, a Masters runner and repeat winner of this 5K, who was in Brooklyn just yesterday winning the male division of the Bay Bridge Half-Marathon in 1:23:57.

However, St. Thomas’ more senior (over 30) runners were well represented by several past winners of STAR events, including Rodriguez, Gaikwad, Kappel and Nicolas Van Heurck. Complete results follow below.

All finishers received well-earned neck ribbon medals and first place finishers in the two adult age groups, female and male, received prizes of subscriptions to running magazines. Long jumper Leon Hunt, a member of the VI National Track and Field Team, was on hand to award additional prizes on behalf of VITFF. Courtesy of Therapy Works, sturdy drinking cups were awarded to all pre-teen finishers, and carry bags went to the age-group winners. In addition, two event participants were chosen by random draw to receive gift subscriptions. Complete results and winners by age-group categories follow below.

For more information about this event, contact Roy Watlington at 777-8183 or rawatlington@earthlink.net. STAR will continue to assist the 2018 Interscholastic Cross-Country series, which meets on Tuesday afternoons, with the first in the series on Oct. 16. Volunteer help would be welcome.

Contact Therese Hodge at 775-6373 for more information about these events. The 2018 M2M Road Race, this year featuring 5K, 10K and 1-mile races, will take place on Nov. 3. www.m2mroadrace.com

Order of Finish

1. Madison Van Heurck 21:31
2. Antonio Maysonett 22:21
3. Brad Kappel 22:28
4. Orion Stapleton 24:48
5. Dewis Richardson 25:38
6. Mo Spruyt 26:07
7. Nicolas Van Heurck 27:52
8. Edwardo Carmona 29:41
9. Pedro Rodriguez 31:42
10. Charlotte Van Heurck 24:39
11. Maria Rodriguez 35:11
12. Mida Gaikwad 36:24
13. Tyler Smith 36:44
14. Liam Smith 32:53
15. Marilyn Brandt 37:08
16. Alyson Monsanto 44:47
17. Rita Mootoovern 47:06
18. Venise Monsanto 34:45
19. Jhnell Jackson 61:04
20. Joycelyn Monsanto 61:04.2

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