March 9, 2008 — Amidst words of encouragement from supporters on the sidelines, a group of about 300 women of all ages fought the hot sun Sunday afternoon on their quest to take first place in the 26th annual Women's Jogger Jam.
Prior to the race, participants got warmed up in the parking lot of Wheatley Center on St. Thomas to the sounds of a disc jockey playing upbeat techno music. The runners lined up in about four rows in front of the Fruit Bowl, and moved in unison to the commands of their aerobics instructor.
In the middle of the workout, the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School's JROTC battalion began a Devil Rays chant that drowned out the sounds of the rest of the crowd.
"It's about 20 of us out here today," said Corelle Rogers, a Kean junior and first sergeant in the JROTC battalion. "We really came out here to get some community service and really have some fun."
The two-mile race began at the entrance of the Schneider Regional Medical Center, and wound past the Lieutenant Governor's Office and around Fortress Storage facilities. From there, runners continued behind the hospital and down the road adjacent to the Sugar Estate post office. After completing two laps, runners finished up in front of the Fruit Bowl, the primary sponsor of the event.
Due to an error in running the course, the first two runners to cross the finish line were disqualified. Instead of turning up the road leading to the Paragon Building and heading up past Fortress Storage, both runners went straight, cutting an "abbreviated" course to the finish line, according to Jogger Jam organizer Therese Hodge.
Taking home the title this year was Jessica Chung, who crossed the finish line with a time of 13:27.
"It was pretty hot outside, so after the first half mile I was already tired," Chung joked after the race. "But it was a really great race — it's wonderful to see all the people who turn out, and they always do a great job organizing the event."
Chung said she'd "try her best" to take the title again next year.
The run benefits the Family Resource Center, which maintains programs for victims of crime and individuals involved in family violence or crisis. It also serves as a safe haven for women and children who are the victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault. Seventy percent of the money raised goes to the center, and 30 percent to the St. Thomas Association of Roadrunners.
First place winners
— Six years old and under: Haley Belcher, 19:43
— seven to 12 years old: Karina Richards, 15:42
— 13 to 18 years: Tynequa Lee, 16:07
— 19 to 29 years: Kelly Krause, 14:39
— 30 to 39 years: Melissa King, 14:50
— 40 to 49 years: Meritt Boel, 14:46
— 50 to 59 years: Gloria Salas-Lindquist, 17:02
— 60 to 69 years: Carole Goldberg, 17:09
— 70-years old and older: V. Ianthe Baynes, 24:39
The winner of this year's team challenge, with a total of 37 participants, was Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.
Click here for the full results.
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