Zebalon A. McLean crosses the finish line just ahead of women's winner Maria Mays and second place finisher Katrina Rowe. Photo: Todd VanSickle/Facebook

The first leg of the annual Dive BVI 5K series on Virgin Gorda on Saturday January 30, 2016 was won by Reuben J. A. Stoby (centre). Julius Farley (right) was second and Steve Asson third. Photo: VINO

The conditions, however, did not prevent a comfortable win for Male Road Running Athlete of 2015 Reuben J. A. Stoby as he ran uncontested to victory in 18:53.

Maria Mays continued her comeback from a long break from road running to take victory in the women’s race in 21:44.

Curwin Andrews and Julius Farley led for about ¾ of a mile before Stoby, who ran unbeaten in the series in 2015 and set the course record of 18 minutes and 18 seconds, surged and never looked back.

He was the only athlete under 20 minutes as Farley finished second in 20:52 and Steven Asson, another athlete seeking to make a return to road racing, took third in 21:11.

Mays and training partner Katrina Rowe ran together for most of the distance but it was Mays who had the stronger finish. Rowe finished second in 21:54 while Female Road Running Athlete of 2015 Rosmond Johnson had to settle for third in 24:01.

“You guys are amazing! Who gets up before the sun comes out, in the rain, and does what you did? Only 40 of you - that's who! Whether you ran or walked, you did a wonderful job this morning for yourself and showed support for your community! You raised $250 for Animal Rescue & Control (ARC) of Virgin Gorda this morning! Thank you,” Race Organisor Casey McNutt stated.

The next race of the series on Virgin Gorda is on February 27, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Blenheim Trust BVI 5K Series on Tortola gets underway on February 20, 2016 at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds.

Dive BVI 5K Series results, Race #1

Men

Reuben J. A. Stoby, 18:53, 2. Julius Farley, 20:52, 3. Steven Asson, 21:11, 4. Emrol Amsterdam, 21:22, 5. Zebalon McLean, 21:42, 6. Curwin Andrews, 23:00, 7. Charles Kerins, 23:38, 8. Angel George, 25:07, 9. Daniel Starling, 28:44, 10. Michael Gill, 30:36, 11. Noah Fox, 31:14, 12. Anghel George, 32:39, 13. Steve Ellefson, 34:10, 14. Benjamin Moore, 38:06, 15. Nicholas Moore, 38:28, 16. Mark Moore, 38:31, 17. Charlie Bufton, 39:55, 18. Atlas VanSickle, 40:38, 19. Zoltan Birinyi, 52:46

Women

Maria Mays, 21:44, 2. Katrina Crumpler, 21:54, 3. Rosmond Johnson, 24:01, 4. Anna Kinkead, 25:34, 5. Becca Knight, 26:54, 6. Broadie Faragher, 28:07, 7. Angie Bester, 28:54, 8. Clair Burke, 31:18, 9. Tara Murphy, 33:30, 10. Beth Besom, 34:57, 11. Kelaine Smith, 37:43, 12. Tasia Veenkemp, 37:51, 13. Sarah Moore, 40:44, 14. Jenny McConnell, 41:08, 15. Chris Yates, 41:25, 16. Chrissann Nickel, 50:53, 17. Nesha Felix, 50:54, 18. Bernadette George, 51:47, 19. AJ Syrett, 52:45, 20. Collette deJonge, 54:14, 21. Rushell Major, 54:14