Sports
27th Texaco Cross Island RoadRelay this Sunday
West Bay United, the 1996 winners of the Texaco CrossIsland Road Relay. (left to right) Tommy Bodden (team manager)Shane Wallace, Nicola Jordan, Dalvin Ebanks, Denny Dilbert, StuartSmith and Mark Hydes.
The Texaco Cross Island Road Relay, oneof the island's longest running road-race, is steeped in tradition.This Sunday, 4th February, the Hash House Harriers, the organiserof the event will celebrate the 27th year of the road race.
"The road relay has become an island tradition accordingto organisers and for many years was the gauge from which to measureone's progress," said John Elliott, one of the organisersfor the race.
The course is broken down into six legs with each participantrunning approximately four miles each. The course begins in Colliers,East End and the first baton exchanged takes place at the Blow-Holes.Then it is off to Frank Sound Junction where teams receive a freshpair of legs at the old Everglo Drive-In. And then to Tall Tree.The second to last stop is near the junction of old Crewe Roadand the final leg of the road relay is at the Sports Complex.
"The Texaco Cross Islands Road Relay was first run in 1975,the idea of Winston Skinner who was, at that time, the physicaleducation teacher at the High School," he explained.
"Originally it was conceived as an inter-school competitionbetween the then five houses. But from the beginning other teamswere welcome to participate. One of the first teams was the tennisclub and some individuals were Roger Davis, Johann G, John Rayand Joe Heavener. Then came teams like Ropers, Police and Saladmasterorganised by Skinny Donalds," he added.
Later came the Flat Foot Brigade of barefoot runners coached byJerry Harper. One of those runners, Herfa Ebanks, stills holdsthe record for the fastest female leg of 24 minutes 12 secondsset in 1984. That year also saw the setting of the fastest individualleg by Tim Byrne in a time of 20 minutes and 12 seconds.
Beatman Ebanks used to set off a 5 am to walk the course for charity.House Hash Harriers have been entering teams for many years andfor over a decade they seemed invincible, consistently takingfirst place and setting the course record. However, they werechallenged in 1989 by Rivers Runners who managed to finish threeminutes ahead of Hash after 24 miles and six runners.
"Over the years we've had a great variety of entrants --police, rugby and squash players, divers, boxers, teachers, bankers,firefighters, teams from the Brac, restaurants and construction,"he continued.
"We are hoping for a good turn out of teams this year anda successful race for our 27th anniversary and of course the studentswill be doing battle. We owe thanks to our main sponsors Texacoand many local businesses who donate and random prizes,"Mr. Elliott concluded.
Organisers for the Texaco Cross Island Road Relay are invitingpeople to come out onto the roadside on Sunday morning and givetheir support to the runners.
Registration has been sent for this Friday, 2nd February at theGeorge Hick High School at 5:30 p.m. The fee is $60 per team.For more information contact Ann Elliot 949-9488.
Texaco Cross Island RoadRelay Records
Fastest Men's Team set in 1982
Hash House Harriers 2:14.3.7
Alan Jones 20:39.5
Richard Peek 22:54.4
Denny Dilbert 22:34
Mike Spragg 23:14
Ed Wilson 22:22
Fastest Women's Team set in 1982
Middle School 2:33.8
Carolyn Ebanks 25:42
Tabitha Parchment 25:46
Charlotte Clarke 26:04
Herfa Ebanks 25:20
Audrey Wellington 24:36
Fastest Individual leg - Men's set 1984
Tim Byrne 22:12
Fastest Individual leg Women's set in1984
Heafa Ebanks 24:12