8 Tuff Miles Race Results

Derrick Butler of Cincinnati OH won the 16th running of St. John’s now famous “8 Tuff Miles Road Race” with a time of 46:22. St. John’s favorite, Jeremy Zuber came in third with a time of 51:26. Ruthie David of St. Thomas won the women’s division once again with a time of one hour. See complete race results.

Folklife Festival

Guitar Player in the Godfrey Smalls Scratch Band

Godfrey Smalls Scratch Band

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Sunday, February 26

 Aqua Bistro – Lauren – 3:30 – 6:30 – 776-5336
Beach Bar – The Gomorrans Social Aid & Pleasure Club – 5:00 – 777-4220
Concordia – Bo – Sunday Brunch 10:00 am
Driftwood Dave’s – Live Music – 1:00 – 4:00 – 777-4015
Miss Lucy’s – Samba Combo – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – 693-5354
Ocean Grill – David Laab – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 7:00 – 10:00

See the weekly St. John live music schedule

St. John Photo of the Day

8 Tuff Miles

One thousand runners (550 women and 450 men) competed today in St. John’s popular 8 Tuff Miles Road Race. In addition to Virgin Islanders, participants came from 38 states and six foreign countries. The race began after the singing of the National Anthem and a Coast Guard helicopter flyover. The above photo was shot as the front runners rounded the turn at Mongoose Junction.

That’s Jeremy Zuber in the yellow shorts looking to break a new course record. Behind him looks like Ruthie David from St. Thomas favorite to win the woman’s division.

Live Music on St. John Saturday, February 26

Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 11:00 – 777-3316
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – Piano & Vocals – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Rhumb Lines – Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00
Skinnylegs – Hot Club of Coral Bay – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb - 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution to my visitors: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

SeeStJohn.com
Most runners I know are addicted to their running and will run under the most extreme conditions. They go out in the freezing cold and sweltering heat. If they absolutely can’t go outside they’ll run around small tracks hundreds of times or run run place on treadmills.

Because of warm weather and hilly conditions, St. John is not the ideal venue for runners. On this post, I will reveal running secrets to maximize your St. John runners experience.

First, if you like warm weather and hills, you’ll be just fine. It’s a great workout, but be sure to keep hydrated; I can’t stress this enough. For the majority of runners, however, I would suggest running early in the morning or late in the afternoon while the sun is low in the sky.

Recommended Running Routes
Leinster Bay Road
My favorite is the Leinster Bay Road between Francis Bay and the Annanberg Sugar Mill. There is only one gentle rise, little traffic and the scenery from the road, which runs along the St. John shoreline is nothing short of spectacular. A suggestion would be to take advantage of Francis Bay Beach for a cool refreshing swim after your run. There’s a pit toilet at the parking area for your convenience.

Area of Detail

Leinster Bay Road Run

One variation on this run could be some cross country type work by combining the Francis Bay Trail or by adding the Leinster Bay Trail to the run continuing along the coast after Annaberg. The Francis Bay Trail is in relatively good condition for a run; the Leinster Bay Trail is less so.

Another variation could be beginning the run at Maho Bay, which would add some hills, some distance and a different inland scenery that also happens to be very beautiful.

Great Cruz Bay Road

Great Cruz Bay Run

If you’re looking for a run closer to town or, especially if you are staying at the Westin Resort, Great Cruz Bay offers some relatively flat terrain, usually low automobile traffic volume and some hill options for the more intrepid.

Westin Running Map

The flat section runs from the intersection of Great Cruz Bay Road to the intersection of Great Sunset. From there you could turn around and run the flat again of proceed up the hill to make a loop back to the main road (Route 104)

National Park Ball Field in Cruz Bay
If you want an absolutely flat run with no automobile traffic at all and a hard packed dirt trail instead of concrete, you could run around the ball field next to the VI National Park Visitors Center (across from Mongoose Junction).

Running Events
The next popular 8 Tuff Miles Road Race, from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay will be February 28 2009. Check the 8 Tuff Miles Website for more information about the race. There is also a link there to the St. John Landsharks, who host a triathlon and aquathon once a year as well as several fun run events.

My friend, Luigi, has a cool St. John Running Blog – Check it out!