Two Antiguan runners took home the first and second place prizes at the 3rd Annual Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon over last weekend.

The first place at this year’s Volcano Half Marathon race, hosted by the Montserrat Running Club was won by Antigua runner Andre Simon in a time of 1:35:29. Second place was taken by Simon’s teammate and returning runner, Germain Brann (1:41:38, Antigua), and third place went to Montserrat’s Omar Jarrett (1:45:20), who won last year’s Fun Run race.

In all, 20 athletes took part in this year’s race with 19 finishing, all in very respectable time for the gruelling 13.1-mile course. More than half of the runners had travelled to Montserrat from overseas especially to take part in what has fast become one of Montserrat’s most prestigious events.

The first female finisher, Treasure Schultz of the USA, finished in 2:13:50 – a few minutes after her husband Cory Chapman. The newlyweds diverted their honeymoon to run the race after finding it on the internet. The 2nd and 3rd place female runners were Lindsay Duffy (2:18:09, Antigua) and Hermina Fleming (2:34:13, UK). The track record time of 1:23:43, set by of St. Vincent in 2010, remains unbroken.

The Fun Run and Fun Walk races, following the 4-mile course from Cudjoe Head to Salem Park taking place simultaneously with the half marathon, were also a great success with 38 competitors in total. The Fun Run winner, Randy Cambell from Montserrat, finished in 31:46 while Stanford Kelly (47:20, Montserrat) took first place in the Fun Walk race for the second year running.

Minister of Sports Colin Riley handed prizes to the winners. In a short address he commented on the importance of an active lifestyle for all of us and the benefits of events such as this. All of the finishers of the Volcano Half Marathon were presented with a unique souvenir medal as they crossed the finish line. The medals, made from volcanic pumice rock sliced and cut into the shape of Montserrat, are an enviable prize available exclusively to those who have toiled to reach the finishing arch in Salem Park.

Prize money exceeding US $5,000 was distributed amongst the winners – nearly tripling the winnings of last year’s race. The first prize for male and female runners was US$ 1,000. The Montserrat Running Club gratefully acknowledges the amazing support of many individuals and businesses, especially the main sponsors: United Insurance, HE Adrian Davis and the Governor’s Office, the Government of Montserrat Sports Department and the Montserrat Tourist Board. A charitable donation will be made by the Montserrat Running Club to the Special Olympics fund.

The Volcano Half Marathon continues to build a head of steam in regional and global status and has attracted athletes from nearly every continent. Planning work has already begun for next year’s race – scheduled for 24th November 2012. Details for the 4th Volcano Half Marathon and Fun Run and Walk events will be published on the Montserrat Running Club website, www.volcanorunner.com. The complete list of winners, below, will be included along with times of all finishers on the website.

VOLCANO HALF MARATHON – Men

1^st                           Andre Simon (Antigua)                                  1:35:29                  US$1000

2^nd                          Germain Brann (Antigua)                             1:41:38 US$750

3^rd                           Omar Jarrett (Montserrat)                           1:45:20 US$500

VOLCANO HALF MARATHON – Women

1^st                           Treasure Schultz (USA)                                  2:13:50 US$1000

2^nd                          Lindsay Duffy (Antigua)                                 2:18:09 US$750

3^rd                           Hermina Fleming (UK)                                   2:34:13 US$500

VOLCANO HALF MARATHON – Youth Prize (20 and under)

  Michael Clarke (Montserrat)                       2:03:58  BlackBerry smartphone

VOLCANO HALF MARATHON – First Montserrat Resident

  Omar Jarrett (Montserrat)                           1:45:20                  EC$100 & ‘Island of Fire’ book

FUN RUN

1^st                           Randy Cambell (Montserrat)                      31:46                     US$100

2^nd                          Desmond Washington (Guyana)               32:44                     US$75

3^rd                           Logan Smith (Jamaica)                                   34:17                     US$50

1^st Female           Denise Allen (Jamaica)                                   40:09                     US$100

FUN WALK

1^st                           Stanford Kelly (Montserrat)                        47:20                     US$100

2^nd                          Keith Howe (Montserrat)                             49:06                     US$75

3^rd                           Lexvern Francis (Montserrat)                     50:07                     US$50

1^stFemale           Jonnita Ponde (Montserrat)

     58:09                     US$100