Hope Town, Abaco – The sun came out for the second annual Hope Town Turtle Trot, a 5K fun run/walk which benefited Friends of the Environment’s marine conservation and education programs.
The event was presented by by H.G. Christie and sponsored by Hope Town Inn and Marina, Hummingbird Art Gallery and the Abaco Tourism Office.
More than 80 runners and walkers started at the Gallery in downtown Hope Town, just behind the historic post office, headed north through town and out to the northern tip of the island before heading back to the Gallery for the finish.
The course wound through paved roads, dirt trails, sandy tracks, and muddy areas, but overall the participants finished with a smile.
The overall winner was Rusty Heise and second overall was Nicole Barnes, who took the top female category. The third place winner was Elizabeth “Ellie” Hislop, who took the top junior award.
Second and third place men were Luke Allen and Derek Sandberg, second and third women were Sarah Cox and Lisa Manley, and the second and third juniors were Digges Allen and Charlie Young.
After the adult 5km race, students from the Hope Town Primary School and visiting children lined up for the Mile Fun Run around Hope Town. J.J. Decius won for kids over 10, Maison Koepke for kids 7 – 9, and Frye McCoy won for 6 and under.
The event was professionally timed using the Chronotrack race time system by a team out of Nassau and assistance with transportation was provided by Albury’s Ferry Service.
FRIENDS marine programs include installing and maintaining mooring balls on local reefs to prevent anchor damage, an annual lionfish derby, promoting protected areas and awareness of local fishing regulations and closed seasons. To learn more about FRIENDS’ programs please visit: www.FriendsoftheEnvironment.org
Captions:
Top photo – Special Projects Coordinator, Lindsey McCoy, with the top mile fun run finishers, J.J. Decius won for kids over 10, Maison Koepke for kids 7 – 9, and Frye McCoy won for 6 and under.
2 – Chrystonia Robertson passes the historic Hope Town Lighthouse on her way to the finish.
3 – Special Projects Coordinator, Lindsey McCoy, with top female finisher Nicole Barnes in front of Hummingbird Gallery.
4 – Hope Town Primary students after they all finished the mile fun run.
6 – Special Projects Coordinator, Lindsey McCoy, with top male finisher Ryan Heise.
Bottom photo: Marine Scientists Ryann Rossi and Stephanie Archer took time off from research in the field to participate in the Turtle Trot.
