On Saturday, Dec. 7, 100 runners and walkers will participate in the third St. John Ten Bay 10K Road Race. This race features a challenging and scenic course within the Virgin Islands National Park along North Shore Road. Beginning at the National Park Visitor Center, the course traverses the north shore of St. John for 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), overlooking ten of the world’s most beautiful bays and beaches, and finishes at Maho Bay beach.
The event is no longer taking registrations because the 100 participants limit was reached in mid-November. About half of the participants live on St. John, a third are coming from the USA, and the rest are from Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St. Thomas. Each participant will receive a finisher award, and the top three men and women finishers will receive a prize created by Gail Van de Bogurt at Pottery in Paradise.
The westbound lane of North Shore Road/Rte. 20 will be closed during the event. Drivers traveling from Coral Bay to Cruz Bay between 6:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. are advised to plan ahead and take Centerline Road/Rte. 10. Drivers going to Francis Bay/Annaberg will be permitted to use King’s Hill Road/Rte. 20.
Portions of the westbound lane of North Shore Road will re-open to traffic after all Ten Bay 10K participants have reached specific checkpoints. The westbound lane will reopen at Caneel Bay entrance at approximately 7:40 a.m., at the Peter Bay entrance around 8:25 a.m., at Cinnamon Bay around 8:40 a.m., and at Rte. 20/King’s Hill Road at the Cruz Bay/Annaberg intersection around 9:15 a.m.
The race is full, but there are opportunities to volunteer. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt and post-race snacks and drinks. Please contact tenbay10k@gmail.com to volunteer.
The event will benefit youth athletics on St. John and at St. John Rescue. The race directors thank this year’s Ten Bay 10K sponsors for their support: Blue Bay Construction, St. John Brewers, St. John Landsharks, 8 Tuff Miles, 340 Real Estate Co., St. John Hardware, Carlson Construction Company, Coral Bay Trucking, Mumbo Jumbo, Windspree Vacation Homes, Big Planet, Conch Villa Vista, Pottery in Paradise, East of Eden Villa, and Stream2Sea reef-safe sunscreen company.
The race directors are committed to making this event plastic-free (no single-use plastic water or beverage bottles). For more information, including a course description and volunteer opportunities, visit www.tenbay10k.com or email Mary and Matt at tenbay10k@gmail.com.
