St. Croix Scenic 50

On Jan 20, the Scenic 50 saw a record number of competitors take on the course. We had 13 runners in the 50 mile, 15 runners in the 50km, and 5 relay teams. The 50 mile individual acts as the VI National Championship for Ultra Marathons. Perfect conditions throughout the day set up for a fast race.
 
This year Billy Bolhke was determined to beat the record and his training and preparation was evident to anyone who watched him race. He finished 1st overall in a time of 7:50:53 and set new course record. Coming in 2nd overall was last years overall champion, Jessica Carter. This was her third time in a row winning the event and as the old saying goes "third time was the charm." Jessica also set a new women's record in a time of 8:22:27.
 
In the 50km, Jack Pilla of VT got out to an early lead but was followed closely behind by Kat Brownsdon. Kat took the lead nearing half way and Jack took a wrong turn which cost him the course record, but he was still about to hang on for the win the men’s division. Kat kept her fast pace and crushed the old record by an hour.
 
The relay division saw last year winning team for Megan Lambert, Esther Ellis, and Julie Sommer trying to run down their own course record. The Crushers were able to lower their record to a time of 6:49:56.

​Race week is upon us. Here is the current schedule of events for the St. Croix Scenic 50. Look forward to seeing everyone this weekend!
 
Saturday, January 21 – Volunteer Meeting and Supply Pick-Up 9:00 am Mermaid Parking Lot at The Buccaneer
 
Saturday, January 21 -50 Mile Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:00-10:30 am. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer
 
Saturday, January 21 - 50 Kilometer Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:45-11:15 am. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer
 
Saturday, January 21 - Team Registration/Check-in & Course Talk Open House 11:30-12:00 pm. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer
 
Sunday, January 22 - Team Relay & 50 Mile Individual Race Start 5:00 a.m. (Christiansted)
 
Sunday, January 22 - 50 Kilometer Race Start 7:00 a.m. (Top of the Beast)
 
Monday, January 23 - Awards Breakfast on the Terrace at The Buccaneer 7:30 a.m.
 
Monday, January 23 - Enjoy a half priced cruise on the Jolly Roger with Captain Mike!

At this point, we have quite a few relay teams signed up for the 50. We hope that everyones training has been going well. Below you will find the current schedule of events for the St. Croix Scenic 50. 
 
Saturday, January 21 -50 Mile Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:00-10:30 am. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer
 
Saturday, January 21 - 50 Kilometer Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:45-11:15 am
 
Saturday, January 21 - Team Registration/Check-in & Course Talk Open House 11:30-12:00 pm
 
Sunday, January 22 - Team Relay & 50 Mile Individual Race Start 5:00 a.m.
 
Sunday, January 22 - 50 Kilometer Race Start 7:00 a.m.
 
Monday, January 23 - Awards Breakfast on the Terrace at The Buccaneer 7:30 a.m.
 
Monday, January 23 - Enjoy a half priced cruise on the Jolly Roger with Captain Mike!

Remember the start of the 50 mile individual and relay will be in the dark. It is a good idea to use a headlamp or carry a light on this portion of the race.

Current Schedule of Events for the STX 50. Please check back this week for additional race updates.

Saturday, January 21 -50 Mile Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:00-10:30 am. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer

Saturday, January 21 - 50 Kilometer Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 10:30-11:00 am
 
Saturday, January 21 - Team Registration/Check-in & Course Talk Open House 11:00-11:30 am

Sunday, January 22 - Team Relay & 50 Mile Individual Race Start 5:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 22 - 50 Kilometer Race Start 7:30 a.m.

Monday, January 23 - Awards Breakfast on the Terrace at The Buccaneer 7:30 a.m.

Monday, January 23 - Enjoy a half priced cruise on the Jolly Roger with Captain Mike!


Also, the start of the 50 mile race will be in the dark for the first hour plus. While the first several miles of the course are paved and in fairly good condition, there are significant portions that are unlit. So please bring a light.

Here is a copy of the information emailed out to participants in case anyone needs it:

Hello!

I hope everyone is doing well and feeling strong. For those of you arriving from cooler climates: wear lots of sunscreen and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Here is the schedule for the weekend:

Friday, January 23 - Team Registration/Check-in & Course Talk Open House 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cotton House Meeting Room at The Buccaneer

Saturday, January 24 - 50 Kilometer Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 4:00-4:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, January 24 - 50 Mile Registration/Check-in & Course Talk 4:30-5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 25 - Happy 50th Birthday to 3 time STX50 Champion Mike Klein!

Sunday, January 25 - Team Relay & 50 Mile Individual Race Start 5:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 25 - 50 Kilometer Race Start 7:00 a.m.

Monday, January 26 - Awards Breakfast on the Terrace at The Buccaneer 7:30 a.m.

Monday, January 26 - Enjoy a half priced cruise on the Jolly Roger with Captain Mike!

Course update: Scenic Ridge (and the rest of the island) has been getting lots of rain. The island is so green and beautiful right now! There is, however, quite a bit of mud, and there are some BIG puddles. 

Also, the start of the 50 mile race will be in the dark for the first hour plus. While the first several miles of the course are paved and in fairly good condition, there are significant portions that are unlit. So please bring a light.

What else?

If you have any questions in the coming days, don't hesitate to ask:
stcroix50@yahoo.com
 
Thanks for choosing to race one of the St. Croix Scenic 50 events!

Tropical regards,
Matt Halk, Race Director

“The 50 miles that I ran at the St. Croix Scenic 50 are as challenging as any of the 50 miles at Badwater!  The St. Croix Scenic 50 should be on every ultra-runner’s list.  It kicked my ass!” These words from Frank McKinney, eight time competitor at the Badwater 135-mile Ultramarathon, the world’s toughest foot race according to National Geographic, were one of the highest compliments a race director could receive on a course that combines some of the best views of the island with its most rugged terrain.  January 26, 2014 marked the fifth edition of the St. Croix Scenic 50, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ only ultramarathon, with 50 mile individual, 50 mile team relay, and 50 kilometer individual events.  An especially rainy December left runners facing lots of mud on the course this year in addition to the three H’s: heat, humidity, and hills (pushing 25% grade at points).   In spite of the added challenge, all of the runners/teams made it to the picture-perfect beach finish line at The Buccaneer!

 St. Croix local and owner/operator of Jolly Roger Charters, Captain Mike Klein, finished in first place for the third year in a row completing his fifth St. Croix Scenic 50 with a time of 9 hours 22 minutes 5 seconds.  Local runners Dedrick Luikens, Jason Snow, John Salo, and Juan Robles finish first for the team relay event setting a new course record of 6 hours 35 minutes 20 seconds.  Debra Morgan from Missouri had never run beyond a marathon before coming to St. Croix.  Not only did she finish first overall in the 50 Km event in 6 hours 47 minutes 6 seconds, she said it was, “the most amazing, challenging, and fantastic race I have ever run!”

Aside from the course's difficulty and breath-taking views, the St. Croix Scenic 50 is defined by the enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers/sponsors.  Every single participant has remarked on how well supported and encouraged they felt by the volunteers along the course.  “Thank you” cannot be said enough to these wonderful volunteers, sponsors, and host, The Buccaneer. Taken as a whole, St. Croix is the proud home of one of the best ultramarathons in the world! But don’t just take our word for it.  When he arrived on St. Croix from frigid Massachusetts, Lee Dickey was just glad to be out of the cold, but after the race he said, “having run 156+ ultras over 27 years, the St. Croix 50 miler was by far the most fun.”  So mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25, 2015 for the 6th Annual St. Croix Scenic when Captain Mike will celebrate turning 50 by running 50 miles on his birthday, and we’ll see you next year!

On Sunday, January 26 The Buccaneer will host the 5th annual St. Croix Scenic 50 ultramarathon.  

The 2014 edition of the race will feature the original 50 mile individual event, a 50 mile relay with four legs, and new this year a 50 km individual event.  As challenging as it is beautiful, on this island tour the views aren't the only thing that will take your breath away.

The course, from Christiansted to Frederiksted and back, gains almost 5,000 feet of elevation as it crosses over Scenic Drive and back, finishing on Mermaid Beach at The Buccaneer.   

Along the way runners will be supported by a small army of volunteers stationed every 4-6 miles along the course handing out food, water and ice. 

Want to be a part of this amazing ultra endurance challenge?  
To volunteer contact Matt: stcroix50@yahoo.com 
or start training for next year!

New for 2013 the St. Croix Scenic 50 mile ultramarathon course will be open to four person relay teams.  Using the 'Top of the Beast' and 'Turn Around' aid stations as transitions points, the course will be broken into four legs that are 11.9, 11.8, 11.8, and 14.5 miles in length.  Opening the course to more runners is intended to increase enjoyment and camaraderie among participants, as well as increasing the enjoyment and excitement for course volunteers and spectators.  So grab three of your running buddies, sign up, and start bargaining for who gets the hills and who gets the extra couple miles to the beach!

In other exciting race news, race record holder, Mike Klein (pictured left finishing his first 50 mile race) has issued a challenge to his fellow participants.  Mike is captain, owner/operator of Jolly Roger private sailing charters.  Since you can't run there, his 42 foot catamaran is the perfect way to see Buck Island's white sand beach and underwater snorkeling trail through the U.S. Reef National Monument.  This year Mike is motivating himself by offering half price on his sailing trips to anyone who beats him in the race.  It's a great way to unwind and recover after the race, so train hard for a great deal!