Building on the 25th Anniversary of the Masue Race in Vieques, 96 runners registered and gathered at 5 pm July 17  in front of the Municipal building in the town of Isabel II in Vieques.  The celebratory event was part of the Vieques Patron Saints Feasts held from 15-18th of July 2010. 

Update: Participant Miguel Mercado who says he loved Vieques and the marathon and hopes to come back for the next one, sent us this video of the event:

Starting

MASUE, whose name was María Magdalena Félix, was born in Christiansted, St. Croix and came to Vieques at the age of 10 in 1858. She died of senile dementia at the age of 110.  This character symbolizes the great number of immigrants that during the turn of the twentieth century made Vieques their home.  Immigrants from places like Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Croix, St Thomas and Tortola became the labor force that made Vieques “the Golden Cup”.  The route simulates  Masue’s wanderings in town.  The 8k which began and ended in front of the town square transited through the Canion Sector.

The rain could not stop the wheelchair athletes from kicking off this event which started promptly at 5 p.m.   Able runners and walkers followed suit challenging the slick road.  Julio Cruz, from Arecibo, made the event his own as he crossed the finish line in a record time of 26:11.  Winning the Viequense category for men and women, were Carlos Serrano and Wildalys Miro.

It is noted that this years’ event brought elite, international and recreational runners as well as the largest number of recorded participants.

Loot for the event totaled $10,470 with spoils split between more than 30 categories.

Kudos! to all the Municipal workers, volunteers and especially Mr. Abdel Guadalupe for his incredible effort in putting this event together.

This event was partly sponsored by Black Bears Sports.