Tullius Three-peats at Beach-to-Beach

 

Hundreds of swimmers turned out on a bright sunny Sunday morning, May 24, for the 12th Annual Beach to Beach Power Swim sponsored by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. More than 280 residents and visitors swam the three-leg course from Maho Bay beach to Cinnamon Bay beach to Trunk Bay and finishing at Hawksnest Bay. At the end Rex Tullius had only one thing to say as he stepped onto Hawksnest Beach on Sunday morning after leading the pack in a competitive swim from Maho Bay. “It’s a three-peat.”

 

HAWKSNEST BAY — At the end Rex Tullius had only one thing to say as he stepped onto Hawksnest Beach on Sunday morning after leading the pack in a competitive swim from Maho Bay.

“It’s a three-peat,” said, the St. Thomas resident, barely winded after swimming three and one-half miles to win the 12th annual Beach to Beach Power Swim sponsored by the Friends of the V.I. National Park. Tullius’ time of 1 hour, and 16 minute finishing time actually was slower than his wining time last year’ of 1:12:43.

And, it was a close battle at the end with Jamaris (JJ) Washshah, finishing less than two minutes behind Tulius at 1:17:34 and setting a new women’s course record by several seconds.
Under sunny skies and in cooperative weather and sea conditions, more than 280 swimmers swam the three-leg course from Maho Bay beach to Cinnamon Bay beach to Trunk Bay and finishing at Hawksnest Bay. At each beach the course passed close the shoreline, allowing onlookers and supporters to give close-up encouragement to the racers.

“It was a great success,” Friends President Joe Kessler pronounced after the post-race celebratory party at Gibney Beach.

St. John entrants on the leaderboard included Alex Ewald, Cristine Meyer, Craig Barshinger and young swimmers Thomas Del Olmo and Luca Del Olmo who swam the race with the father Alfredo and sister Melena.

Age group results included: Thomas Del Olmo, 28:49, Age 16 and under: and Luca Del Olmo, 34:29, Age 17-34.

The Results
Short Solo Female: First, Sasha Klein, 22:24 ; Second, Juliett De Sousa, 22:54; Third, Sarah Trout, 23:31.

Short Solo Male: First, Jess Midkiff, 25:36; Second, V. Van Oudtshoon, 26:14; Third, Daryl Adkins, 28:46.

Short Assisted Female: First Sarah Welnick, 23:21; Second, Janeelle Zachman, 24:08; Third, Kennis Weiler, 25:49.

Short Assisted Male: First, James Marc Miller, 23:56; Brad Douglas, 25:07; Third, Paul Omeara, 25:13.

Intermediate Solo Female: First, Cathryn Hempel, 54:55; Second, Carter Maltby, 54:56; Third, Susan Popa, 1:02:05.

Intermediate Solo Male: First, Jonathon Dell, 51:33; Second, Andrew McPherson, 55:06; Third, Clinton Hempel, 56:20.

Intermediate Assist Female: First, Kay Reddy, 56:28; Second, Christy McManus, 1:01:04; Third, Sydney Inman, 1:02:41.

Intermediate Assisted Male: First, Lars Inman, 1:02:43; Second, Kevin Foster, 1:12:24; Third, Adam Thill, 1:15:38.

Long Solo Female: First, Jamaris (JJ) Washshah, 1:17:34; Second, Natalia Kuipers, 1:21:45; Third, Barbara Crowder, 1:22:25.

Long Solo Male: First, Rex Julius, 1:16:00; Second, Johnathan Eckart, 1:17:37; Third, Christopher Geaefe, 1:18:17.

Long Assisted Female: First, Alexandra Ewald, 1:32:44; Second, Cristine Meyer; 1:43:35; Third, Mary Stone, 1:44:03.

Long Assisted Male: First, Craig Barshinger, 1:27:38; Second Michael Feierabend, 1:27:44; Third, Marc Eckmodt, 1:48:43.

Long Relay: First: Hartwing, Leman and Macko, 1:44:10; Second: Lynn, Lynn and Payne, 2:07:44.

Lone Relay Assisted: First: Hougaard, Michtnes and Ferry, 1:34:52; Second: Barr, Brunt and Maltby, 1:45:46; Third: Dugan, Cullum, Storm, 1:47:10.

Several family members of participants were disgruntled to find that they could not watch the action at the Trunk Bay relay station without paying the park’s entry fee, but a good time was had by all at the after party.