Despite a week’s postponement, an even larger crowd of runners than last year competed Saturday in the second M2M, or Montessori to Magens Road Race, a fundraising project by the the V.I. Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy.
Proceeds from the race – which charged an entry fee of $30 for adults and $15 for children – benefit the V.I. Mothers Against Guns, My Brother’s Workshop, and financial aid funds for Montessori School students. As of Friday night, the race had 355 registered runners. On Saturday morning, more than 100 new runners registered, adding about 500 runners in total.
Last year, race director Shane DeGannes, who is known as "coach nurse" at the school, expected only about 70 participants and got more than 350 runners instead. He ran out of the dog tags awarded to finishers long before the race was over.
“This year, I budgeted for 700, so I should have more than enough for everyone,” he said.
The race, originally scheduled for Nov. 8, was postponed because of bad weather, but organizers think the change worked in their favor.
“Just because of the buzz that was generated by canceling the event, people were talking about it, so I would say that definitely increased our turnout,” said core organizer Ali Slimming, who also ran the race.
The road race followed the same eight-mile route as last year, starting at the Montessori School a little after 6:30 a.m., passing through Red Hook, up Cassi Hill, turning right at Tabor Harmony road past Hometown Convenience Store, onto Donoe Bypass, turning left at ABC Nursery, and finally, to Magens Bay Road.
Michael Thompson got to the finish line ahead of everyone else, with a time of 53 minutes and 19 seconds. He was also the winner of last year’s inaugural M2M.
Veteran runner Ruth Ann David, who finished first in the women’s category and third overall, said this race was more challenging that the famed 8 Tuff Miles on St. John, but it also has advantages for beginners.
“This is actually harder because you have two big hills and then flat, flat, flat, so it was a little bit harder,” she said. “For first-time runners, I think this is a great run to do because it’s shaded in most areas.”
DeGannes said he could not even think of running this year, unlike Slimming and fellow organizer Rebecca Waterfall, who both entered the race.
“I like to be in the beginning, the end and in the middle,” said the hands-on director.
DeGannes, was at Magens until 11 p.m. the night before, along with core organizers Slimming, Waterfall, Brad Kappel and Montessori Head of School Michael Bornn, and again at 4 a.m. the following morning, erecting tents, setting up the finish line, and bringing in supplies.
When the race began, DeGannes was running with some runners a part of the way, then drove his car to different points of the race. There was increased police presence this year, said Slimming, as well as a more clearly marked route. There were water stops at regular intervals, and while runners could not necessarily stop, the would grab the water and drink as they go or pour it over their heads to cool off.
Slimming said planning for the race started with occasional meetings as early as March, with more frequent meetings in September. Volunteers consisting of Montessori School parents, teachers and students were invaluable, she said, and their sponsors made the race possible.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” said Slimming, gesturing to runners cooling off and mingling. “Look at this. It’s all worth it.”
Winners of the M2M Road Race by category:
Overall Male: Michael Thompson, 53:19
Overall Female: Ruth Ann David, 55:48
Male
12 and younger: Taber Helton, 1:17
13-16: Leodanis Matos, 1:07
17-19: Isiah Horsford, 59:14
20-29: TJ Hindes, 55:39
30-39: Chris Thomas, 1:03
40-49: Chris Hamel, 1:00
50-59: Daniel Huston, 1:18
60-69: Jack Hullings, 59:18
Female
12 and younger: Kaia Anspacher, 1:27
13-16: Keare Joseph, 1:24
17-19: Kayalyn Bump, 2:10
20-29: Chelsea Ferreira, 1:08
30-39: Tiarra Kappel, 1:14
40-49: Kerstin McConnell, 1:23
50-59: Laura Kline, 1:12
60-69: Candace Grant, 1:29
