Farley Wins Third BVI Half Marathon
Julius Farley overcame a recent injury to claim his third Deloitte-Ogier BVI Sunrise Half Marathon title in 1:30:54, while twins Katrina and Gayle Lindsay shared the women's crown in 1:40:54. The 20th edition of the race, founded in 2006, drew more than 130 finishers — the largest field since the COVID-19 pandemic — and showcased both elite competition and community fun.
Julius Farley captured his third Deloitte-Ogier BVI Sunrise Half Marathon crown on Saturday, closing out the 20th edition of the island’s signature road race in 1:30:54. The race, founded by Simon Cook in 2006, began at A. Shirley Grounds and finished at Smugglers Cove after a 13.1-mile course that runs down Tortola’s south coast and over the Steep Point incline.
Farley said he did not expect to win after nursing an injury in the weeks before the race. Jermaine “JJ” Ricketts set a fast early pace and led for the first nine miles, separating from the pack between Clovers and Digicel on Waterfront Drive en route to West End. Around the 10-mile mark Farley overtook Ricketts, who admitted his legs began to weaken late in the race.
Oliver Terry moved past Ricketts to finish second in 1:34.22, with Ricketts third in 1:36.28. "JJ went out hard as usual," Farley said after the race, reflecting on catching and passing his rival despite not feeling 100 percent. With his third win (he previously won in 2017 and 2021), Farley joins Shane DeGannes as only the second runner to claim three titles in the event’s history.
In the women's race twins Katrina “Kat” and Gayle Lindsay crossed the line together to share their seventh successive overall title, both timed in 1:40.54. The sisters — who trained in Kenya and Uganda ahead of last month’s Chicago Marathon — said lingering niggles affected their preparations, but they worked together on the course.
Sarah Latham was the only other runner under two hours, finishing third in 1:55.23. "Towards the end she was feeling really strong and I was starting to suffer, so she was kind of pulling me along," Katrina said of Gayle, who had struggled with leg pain early but warmed up after 10K.
Their father, Gordon Lindsay, also ran and improved on his 2022 debut time. Race director Kay Reddy reported more than 130 finishers — the largest field since the pandemic — and noted a lively mix of competitors and supporters. Participants ranged from serious contenders to costumed entrants raising funds for Protect Animal Welfare (PAW), including an inflatable cat and two runners dressed as bumble bees, drawing cheers along the route.
The 20th edition underlined the race’s role in Tortola’s sporting calendar: a competitive platform for local and regional athletes, a community celebration of fitness, and a showcase for the island’s scenic coastal roads. The Deloitte-Ogier BVI Sunrise Half Marathon continues to be a highlight for residents and visiting runners alike.
Primary source: Island Sun