Enlarge Photo

Photo by: Steve Simonsen

WHAT

8 Tuff Miles traverses St. John along Centerline Road from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. The idea was hatched when founder Peter Alter quit smoking and decided that a jog up and over the island would be just the thing to distract himself from the cravings. He then convinced a few friends that the experience would be "fun," and the first race was run in 1997 with just 21 competitors. 

WHERE

Beautiful St. John is many things — lush, pristine, ringed with alluring beaches — and covered with steep green peaks. Runners start their journey at Virgin Islands National Park headquarters (elevation: five feet above sea level) and must ascend a lung-busting 999 feet in the first half of the race — that’s almost as high as the Empire State Building. In the second half, a downhill canter into Cruz Bay compensates.

WHO

Toeing the start line are athletes, recreational runners, and anyone else who rightfully believes that after running eight mountainous miles, you can eat and drink pretty much anything you want for the rest of your vacation, calories be damned. Want to know what an undertrained and slightly sunburned runner is thinking as she slogs it out in tropical temps? Here’s a little insight:

WHY

Halfway through, about 1,000 feet above sea level, I finally emerge from the forest and am greeted by a magical scene. From here, high atop St. John, a dreamy vista of the other Virgin Islands appears, sparkling and hazy as a mirage. For the rest of the race, misty mountains and shimmering water peep out at me from between the trees, encouraging: “You’re almost there! It’s all downhill from here!” Nope, this definitely isn’t your hometown Turkey Trot. And the finisher’s medal is a bottle opener. Sweet.

WHEN

The race is held on the last Saturday of February; this year, that’s Feb. 25. Good luck out there, runners. And don’t forget to put that medal to good use.

The 16th Annual St. John's 8 Tuff Miles Footrace
Saturday, 25 February, 2012