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Story and photo by Suzanne Nielsen and reprinted with permission of the
Daily Herald.
December 8, 2003
Six Saba University School of Medicine students scored well at the recent half marathon "Race against Aids" on Anguilla. The group had high praise for their Anguillan hosts, the local Optimists Club, and organizer Jerome Roberts. One highlight was a reception with the Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming.
Jillian Stewart (British Columbia), who came in first in the women's race, said that her goal was a personal best, which she achieved at 1 hour 41 minutes in the half marathon. She said it was one minute better than her time a decade ago, but "progress is progress." To her delight, she also won $1,000, part of which has already been used against her Big Rock Market grocery bill, she joked. Joy Akioyamen (Texas), running in a half marathon for the first time, was eighth. Jane Nissif (Canada) was first in her age croup, also competing for the first time.
In the men's race, Dan Rupke (Michigan), Kris Stanton (Washington), and Scott Dembiec took 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
The three young ladies and three young men have formed an ad hoc running group on Saba and are often on The Road. Most of them were high school and college athletes and have been in amateur competitions.
The race started at 6:30am and the weather cooperated. They said that the few hills on the Anguillan course "were more like bumps" when compared to their experience on Saba's steep hills. The practice on the Unspoiled Queen got them into good shape for Anguilla.
The following Saba Day weekend, Stanton and Rupke and took part in the Hell's Gate Challenge triathlon, coming in 2nd and 4th respectively in the individuals division.
Photo:: First row from left, Jane Nassif, Dan Rupke, Joe Akioyamen, and Jillian Stewart. Second row from left, Kris Stanton and Scott Dembiec.
Click here for a larger version of the photo.
 Back to community news page.
Story and photograph © Suzanne Nielsen, 2005.
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