Nov. 16, 2008 — St. Croix is gaining a reputation as a destination for endurance-sport events, according to the organizer of the Caribbean Classic Triathlon, and Frenchmen gave weight to that assessment Sunday by winning the race's top three spots.
"The races were all great and went well," said Wallace Williams, Olympic runner, St. Croix resident and race organizer. "We are getting many more participants than ever competing."
The purse, $2,500 each to the first female and male, adds to the attraction. The male winner was Stephane Poulat of France and the female winner was Miranda Carfrae of Australia. Another $5,000 in prizes was awarded to other finishers.
"Last year, six world-class athletes participated, but this year there were 10," said Tom Guthrie, race coordinator. The purse money was raised locally through solicitations, he said.
While the race had an international flavor, local participation was also high, with about 50 percent of the 70 participants coming from the Virgin Islands. Other participants came from France, Ireland, England, Mexico and the mainland.
The race began where it ended, near the Mermaid Restaurant at Buccaneer Resort. The scene was one of sweat and smiles as the finishers came across the finish line. The sun was bright, but Christmas winds had arrived and the contestants got some relief from the heat. The crowd of runners included barely a body with any excess weight.
Local resident Joe Holt said he did not mind hosting several of the runners at his house.
"They are so clean cut and they are so fun," he said.
The race started at 7 a.m. with a 1,500-meter ocean swim. The racers then ran out of the sea and jumped on bikes for a 25-mile ride that left the resort grounds for two laps around the east end of the island. They then re-entered the Buccaneer grounds for a 6.2-mile run looping over the resort's jogging trail and golf course, with gorgeous views of the sea.
"The race course is very tough — it's hilly, windy, hot and just hard," said Benjamin Sanson, second-place winner.
Poulat came in first with a time of 1:58:25. Second place went to Sanson at 2:02:51 and third went to Sudrie Silvan, clocking in at 2:04:00.
Miranda Carfrae of Australia took first for women at 2:20:37. Second place went to Karen Smyers of the States at 2:34:13 and Katya Meyers of the States came in third at 2:41:15.
This was the last in the St. Croix Triathlon series for 2008, which began in March.
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