PHILIPSBURG-- The future long-distance runners of St. Maarten were on show in the inaugural Grant Thornton Kids Race organized by St. Maarten Road Runners on the Boardwalk on Saturday afternoon. The categories were 2km for boys and girls in the age range of 5-7 years old and 8-9 years old and 5km for boys and girls in the age range of 10-12 years old and 13-15 years old.
According to organizers, 59 of the 71 children registered showed up for the “successful” event. President of St. Maarten Road Runners Krispijn Teunissen, in an invited comment with The Daily Herald, said the event was successful. “Yes, the event was successful. The turnout was good. Even though the 5km was for some kids a bit long, they all finished! The venue at the gelato is very nice, and we saw a lot of happy faces.” said a beaming Teunissen.
The winner of the 2km females race for the 5-7 age range was Cilou Venema. She won the race in 12 minutes 42 seconds. The other children who completed the top five in the race were Mia Reed for second in 13 minutes 11 seconds, Evi van Engelenburg for third in 14 minutes 22 seconds, Mireya Forrest for fourth in 14 minutes 51 seconds and Nahlia Teunissen for fifth in 14 minutes 51 seconds also.
In the boy’s category, Charles Thomas won in 10 minutes 36 seconds. The other children in the top five were Soham Asrani for second in 11 minutes 14 seconds, Drish Dadlani for third in 11 minutes 32 seconds, Lucas Van der Sar for fourth in 12 minutes 2 seconds and Kyle Sprott for fifth in 13 minutes 41 seconds.
The 2km female race winner for 8-9 years old was Victorio Otto in 9 minutes 5 seconds. To complete the top five finishers were Shaquena Brooks in second place in 9 minutes 19 seconds, Aliyah Anthony in third place in 10 minutes 20 seconds, Ayla Bus in fourth place in 10 minutes 35 seconds and Allure Martin in fifth place in 13 minutes 57 minutes.
Simon Van Iersel won the boys’ 2km for ages 8-9 years old in 8 minutes 29 seconds. In second place was Jaylano Wyatte Cedeno in 8 minutes 34 seconds, in third place was Gustave Thomas in 9 minutes 31 seconds, Sebastian Marsham in fourth place in 9 minutes 47 seconds and Maxxis Hodge in fifth place in 11 minutes 4 seconds.
The organizers were happy that even though the 5km race was longer, all 22 contestants completed the race.
Mila Williams won the 5km female race for 10-12 years old. She won the race in 41 minutes 10 seconds. To complete the top five finishers were Julia Vriezen for second in 48 minutes 21 seconds, Shaneila Davis for third in 48 minutes 29 seconds, Kezirah for fourth in 48 minutes 30 seconds and Jobrayna Flanders for fifth in 49 minutes 37 seconds.
In the male category for the 5km for 10-12 years old, Lanishio Lake won in front of Adonia Bourne and Amani Beyde. Lake’s time was 31 minutes 34 seconds. Bourne and Beyde clocked 40 minutes 16 seconds and 46 minutes 9 seconds, respectively. There were only three boys in this category.
Naomi Williams won the 5km race for females 13-15 years old. She crossed the finishing line in 34 minutes 4 seconds. In second place was Mar York in 34 minutes 20 seconds, in third was Fania Labady in 49 minutes 28 seconds and Shanita Arendell in fourth place in 50 minutes 50 seconds. There were only four participants in this category.
13-year-old Collis Morgan won the longest race for the biggest boys. He clocked 24 minutes 14 seconds, which was also the best time for all the races. For a top-five finish, Andreescio Hodge Thomas was in second with a time of 25 minutes 31 seconds, Triston Ettienne in third in 25 minutes 38 seconds, Meks Teunissen in fourth in 30 minutes 40 seconds and Dylan Phelipa in fifth in 44 minutes 35 seconds.
