Sunday’s Island Hoppers relay brought a burst of energy and friendly competition as seven teams gathered at the former Café Kaleidoscope for the island’s unique leap-frog race format. Competitors tackled an eight-mile, partially off-road course, alternating between running and cycling in a bike-run-bike-run (or run-bike-run-bike) sequence while sharing a single bicycle.
The race, first introduced in 2009 on the same course, has long been a favorite for its strategy and teamwork. While the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation briefly hosted a Frederiksted edition in 2010, 2011, and 2013, concerns over road conditions along Mahogany Road prevented its return there.
From the start, familiar faces quickly set the pace. Robin Seila was the first cyclist to reach the opening transition in Tide Village, holding a narrow lead of about 20 seconds over Julie Sommer. GHCDS student KoleBert Daisley followed closely behind. On the run, Sommer’s teammate Bridget Klein surged ahead, arriving approximately 30 seconds before Croix Benton-Higgins, Daisley’s partner. Chris Ray rounded out the early leaders in third position.
The course’s defining climb up Spring Gut Road tested all competitors. Klein powered to the top first on the bike, with Ray nearly a minute back and Esther Ellis, Seila’s teammate, close behind. Sommer, first to summit on foot, quickly mounted the bike and accelerated downhill. A strong run from Ishmael Mills propelled his team into second place, while Seila remained in close contention as the third runner to transition onto the bike.
Mechanical issues added drama during the third leg, as both Seila and Paul Adjodha suffered early flat tires on the descent, forcing them to walk their bikes until assistance arrived. Meanwhile, Sommer maintained her advantage into the third transition at Castle Nugent. Alejandro Ashe, Ray’s teammate, arrived more than two minutes later, followed by Daisley. On the run into T3, Klein again led the field, with Ray and Benton-Higgins in pursuit.
In a race where balance between teammates is key, Sommer and Klein demonstrated near-perfect synchronization, finishing within moments of each other to secure the overall victory. The team’s final time was recorded when the second runner crossed the line, as per race rules.
Alejandro Ashe and Chris Ray claimed second overall honors, while Croix Benton-Higgins and KoleBert Daisley finished third.
Division winners included:
- All-Women Relay: 1st – Julie Sommer/Bridget Klein; 2nd – Catherine Seguin/Kat Brownsdon; 3rd – Robin Seila/Esther Ellis
- All-Male Relay: 1st – Chris Ray/Alejandro Ashe; 2nd – Croix Benton-Higgins/KoleBert Daisley; 3rd – Paul Adjodha/Ishmael Mills
- Mixed Relay: 1st – Malika Maynard/Nick Felicien
The next event on the VITF calendar is the Spring Fling Junior Triathlon at Cramers Park on Sunday, April 12. For more information, please contact 340-513-2707.
