<![CDATA[ST. CROIX SCENIC 50 - News]]>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:37:29 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[2nd Annual St. Croix Scenic 50 Mile Ultramarathon]]>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:49:36 -0800http://www.stcroix50.com/1/post/2010/08/2nd-annual-st-croix-scenic-50-mile-ultramarathon.html St. Croix, US Virgin Islands –

Registration has begun for the second annual St. Croix Scenic 50 mile ultramarathon to be held on January 23, 2011. The race is organized in cooperation with the Virgin Islands PACE Runners and will be hosted once again by The Buccaneer. With St. Croix’s obvious beauty, challenging terrain, and wonderful community support this homegrown endurance challenge has become an instant classic, making it onto Thoos.com’s list of “Top 100 Ultramarathons” at number 45!

The course will remain the same as last year taking participants from Fort Christiansvaern to Fort Frederik over St. Croix's Scenic Drive revealing many of the island's most breathtaking vistas.  Once in Frederiksted runners will return along the same route and then finish at the Mermaid Beach of The Buccaneer.  The race will begin at 5 a.m., and runners will have until 7:30 p.m. to complete the fifty mile journey. There will be improvements to the event this year, including additional aid stations to accommodate many more runners on a course defined as much by the heat and hills as by its beauty. There are also plans for live music on the course courtesy of local rock band Dick’s Garage whose performance at the 2010 St. Croix Ironman 70.3 race in May was enjoyed by many competitors.

For more information on running in, volunteering for, watching or sponsoring this incredible event go to http://www.stcroix50.com
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]]><![CDATA[A Few Words from Event Organizer, Matt Halk]]>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:30:52 -0800http://www.stcroix50.com/1/post/2010/04/a-few-words-from-event-organizer-matt-halk.htmlSince moving to St. Croix, I have expanded my ultrarunning cross training to include triathlon and serve on the board of the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation.  I recently wrote a few words for our monthly newsletter describing what interests me about endurance sports, and since it relates to ultrarunning I am posting it here also:

Why I Tri

by Matt Halk

The anecdotal answer to why I enjoy triathlons is because of ultrarunning.  Living in Colorado in 2006, I crewed for a runner in the Leadville 100 “Race Across the Sky” and was hooked.  I had to have more of what I had experienced, and two weeks later, I entered the Tenderfoot Triathlon.  It was “Awesome!” followed by “What’s next?”

Next, came two years of running hundreds of miles through the majestic Rocky Mountains followed by move to beautiful St. Croix, which is only twenty some miles at its longest.  Running had yet to go “ultra” on St. Croix, but the triathlon community shared many of the qualities that had drawn me to ultrarunning.  So like many others who are joining the sport, I became a triathlete.

Sure, the sport is growing fast, but what is that “energy” that surrounds endurance events?  For me, the answer is twofold: the competitive physical challenge and the fun!  In a world where we are increasingly stationary and often staring at a screen, I personally need the childish joy of running, riding and splashing my worries away to stay sane.  The disciplines of triathlon promote body awareness and provide a common experience through which I can bond with people from all walks of life, ages and abilities.  I tri… to feel alive and connect with life.  See you out there!


]]><![CDATA[ST. CROIX SCENIC 50 RACE REPORT 2010]]>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:20:32 -0800http://www.stcroix50.com/1/post/2010/03/st-croix-scenic-50-race-report-2010.html February 23, 2010 – St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

 

            Over a thousand miles southeast of Miami about 83 square miles of dirt, rocks and tropical paradise jut out of the Caribbean Sea.  I landed on St. Croix in August of 2008, still sore from the Leadville 100.  Among the roughly 60,000 residents, I discovered a thriving community of triathletes.  And why not?  Almost everyday on St. Croix is a perfect training day.  The idea of running farther than a marathon, however, was still obscure if not enigmatic.  A year and a half later, I am pleased to submit the first St. Croix Scenic 50 Race Report.

The inaugural St. Croix ultramarathon was held on Sunday, January 24 with twelve runners at the start and was hosted by the island’s premier resort, The Buccaneer.  The 50 mile course from Christiansted over the Scenic Drive (Jeep Trail) to Frederiksted and back, finishing on the beach at The Buccaneer, boasts 4,700 feet of elevation change on hills with grades up to 24 percent.  The other defining aspect of the course, besides the hills and resulting amazing views, was the heat.  While some visitors from the mainland could be heard commenting on the heat before the sun even rose, everyone was reaching for salt and ice by late morning and through the afternoon.

Local runner James Dean set the course record for the men at 8:40:23.  And of the twelve runners, two were local women who ran the first 43 or so miles together.  However, in the last few miles, Carol Murphy, who decided to celebrate being 50 by running 50 miles, pulled ahead and set the women’s course record at 11:43:49. 

Among the other eight finishers was special guest Todd Crandell from Ohio, founder and Executive Director of Racing for Recovery™, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation with the mission of preventing substance abuse and offering a positive alternative to those currently battling addiction.  After the race, Crandell met with residents at The Village - Virgin Islands Partners in Recovery to encourage their choice to be sober.

Crandell’s visit and the introduction of ultrarunning to St. Croix were made possible by the St. Croix Scenic 50’s host The Buccaneer; sponsors: Bohlke International Airways, IB Designs, VI PACE runners, ZombieRunner.com, St. Croix Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, the UVI Division of Nursing and SCUFA; and dozens of local volunteers from the sporting community. 

With the finish line right on Mermaid Beach at The Buccaneer, most participants did not stop long at the finish line before heading straight into water for a refreshing dip.  At sunset everyone was accounted for and participants gathered at the Mermaid Restaurant for an awards dinner.  The volunteers and spectators were in awe, and the athletes beamed with their accomplishment.  St. Croix has distinguished itself once again as an endurance sporting paradise, which now boasts an ultramarathon that is as challenging as it is beautiful!  Mark your calendars and start training for the second annual St. Croix Scenic 50 on January 23, 2011.

]]><![CDATA[Ultra Endurance Athlete Todd Crandell to Race on St. Croix]]>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:12:22 -0800http://www.stcroix50.com/1/post/2010/03/ultra-endurance-athlete-todd-crandell-to-race-on-st-croix.htmlPicture
October 8, 2009 - Todd Crandell will be on St. Croix for the St. Croix Scenic 50 mile run.  Don't miss your chance to meet and race with this amazing person and incredible athlete.

Todd Crandell PC (Profesional Counselor) and LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III) is the founder and Executive Director of Racing for Recovery™, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation with the mission of preventing substance abuse in adolescents and individuals and offering a positive alternative to those currently battling addiction.

Todd and Racing for Recovery™ have been featured on CNN, FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC News, ESPN’s SportsCenter, ESPN2’s Cold Pizza, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated.com, Runner’s World and Triathlete Magazines, the nationally-syndicated Mitch Albom Radio Show, and a number of other radio, newspaper and magazine interviews across the United States and throughout the world.

Crandell’s book, “From Addict To Ironman,” co-written with John Hanc, gives an unflinching account of his addiction and recovery and has motivated thousands in their fight to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Todd Crandell regularly speaks to groups and individuals to convey one important message: “With sobriety anything is possible.”

January 25, 2010 - Todd Crandell finished the St. Croix Scenic 50 in 12 hours 58 minutes and 49 seconds on the very challenging and hot course.  This morning after the race, Crandell met with residents at The Village - VI Partners in Recovery.  It was an extremely rewarding experience to see how Crandell has chosen to transform his life's challenges into inspiration for others struggling with addiction.
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