Imagine, if you can, charging into Christiansted Harbor at 6:30am to begin a 1.24-mile swim, then hopping onto a bicycle to race a 56-mile course that includes an uphill battle with “The Beast” on the north shore. Finally, you arrive at the finish line in Christiansted town after a two-loop 13.1- mile foot race around the east end of the island.

That was the scene on Sunday, May 1st, as 251 athletes raced to qualify for 30 spots in an upcoming World Championship Ironman event. This was the 28th St. Croix triathalon and, as usual, spectators lined the roads to cheer runners and bikers on while volunteers ensured that the athletes’ paths stayed clear of obstacles and offered cups of water. The day before the race, three inches of rain and wind had blown harbor buoys and transition fences off course but, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Public Works and a number of hard- working Crucians, everything was in order by Sunday.

Categories, in addition to the main event, included a relay with 3-member teams competing on the same course as half- ironman competitors and a Sprint division consisting of a 750-meter swim and an 8-mile bike course with a 4-mile run to finish. Bridget Klein made Crucians proud as she finished 2nd overall in the Sprint event. Frenchman Francky Favre was the overall winner of the main event with a time of 4:43:14.

As a festive prelude to the highly anticipated Triathalon Jump-Up on Friday night, on Friday afternoon the VI Track and Field Federation and VI Pace Runners hosted the 18th Annual Children’s Run from Sunday Market Square to Fort Christianvaern. More than 200 children aged 13 and under participated, each receiving a trophy and a medal upon crossing the finish line. Then it was time for the festive Jump- Up, and stores and restaurants stayed open late to accommodate visitors and locals mingling with musicians and mocko-jumbies.

For triathalon race resuts, please go to https://www.sportstats.ca/search-results.xhtml.