On Sunday, the St. John Landsharks hosted “runner’s choice” 5K and 5-mile fun runs at Francis Bay. The courses featured a variety of terrain, including trails, roads, and a finish on the beach. The organizers, Matt Crafts and Mary Vargo, last offered this race in 2018 and 2019, replacing the Love City Triathlon and Aquathlon that were traditionally held over Labor Day weekend, a news release stated.
Thirty-eight participants—12 for the 5-mile race and 26 for the 5K—came to Francis Bay for the 8:00 a.m. start. The field was nearly all from St. John, with two from St. Thomas and two from Indiana, according to the release.
In the 5-mile event, the top male finishers were Jamie Penn of St. John (39:51), Sly Villaestiva of St. Thomas (41:50), and Lee Richter of St. John (42:53). The top female finishers for the 5-mile course were Sarah Swan of St. John (45:07), Misty Knies of Indiana (49:36), and Noel Wright of St. John (1:10:31).
In the 5K, the winners in the men’s division were Kevin Vargo (31:38), Dane Tarr and Aksel Tarr (tied at 33:14), all from St. John. The top women finishers for the 5K were Emma Johnson (34:45), Samantha McNamara (34:46), and Chandler Minner (35:05), all from St. John.
The top three male and female finishers for each course received a handmade St. John Landsharks heart bowl from Pottery in Paradise in Coral Bay. The first-place male and female finishers also received a purple passionfruit vine, the release stated.
Full results may be found here.
According to the release, several volunteers, as well as St. John Rescue, V.I. National Park Service, and VIPD, were onsite to monitor and provide support.
The next St. John Landsharks event is the Turkey Trot 5K and Kids Fun Run at Annaberg on Thanksgiving Day, the release noted.
St. John Landsharks is an informal local athletic club, focusing on swimming, biking, running, stand up paddleboarding, etc. For more information, contact stjohnlandsharks@gmail.com.
