Tortola
King and Queen of the Mountain Run
Run up Harrigan’s Hill a total of 947ft. to Fort Charlotte
Port Time: 8:00 a.m.
Run Time: Approximately 8:30
a.m.
Location: Start and finish
just outside gates of Cruise Port in Road
Town
Run route:
“This is a run you will not soon forget”
Ø
The Run
will leave the cruise port on Waterfront drive
Ø
Turn
right on Russel Road
Ø
Turn
right at the BVI Beach
club and proceed up the hill to Fort
Charlotte.
The
total distance to Fort
Charlotte is
approximately 3 kilometers for a 6 kilometer run out and back. The grade is
very steep and climbs 947 Ft. The flat run from the Cruise Port
to the base is approximately 700 meters. You immediately begin to climb and the
grade is between 20 and 25% There are several switchbacks. The Climb is well
worth the rewards of a spectacular view of the Harbor, Sir Francis Drake
Channel and several of the other islands in the BVI at several points up the
hill.
The
Fort was built by British Royal Engineers in 1794 to defend Road Harbor.
Its elevation meant that there was absolutely no prospect of receiving cannon
fire from incoming ships. The only way the fort could have been taken (it never
fell) would have been for the troops to climb the slope while under heavy fire.
The
fort is barely recognizable ruin. All that remains are a few barely standing
walls, and underground magazine but the view from atop the hill is
amazing.
King and
Queen of the mountain competition:
Although
this is a group run if any of the runners want to race to the top there will be
an award for the King and Queen of the mountain. The first male and female to
the top of Fort Charlotte will be declared King and
Queen of the mountain and will receive special awards for their accomplishment
Runners Give Back
Running for Giselle- This run was originally designed by a local cyclist
and runner Chris Ghiorse. Chris did a tremendous job of setting up the run for
us last trip. Sadly, shortly after we left Tortola,
Chris's baby daughter, Giselle, passed away from a rare genetic metabolic disorder
called LCHAD/TFP. We will be running in memory of Giselle and to raise
awareness for to expanded newborn screening (ENS).
Giselle was transported to the Holtz Children’s Hospital in
Miami Hospital
from Tortola. Chris and his wife
Victoria spent time at Ronald Macdonald House in Miami while Giselle was being
treated. This amazing facility was less than a 5 minute walk from the
Hospital and allowed for Chris and Victoria to be near Giselle throughout her
fight, for $10 a night!!! Ronald MacDonald House (RMH) is an
international nonprofit facility set up to help families stay near their
children who are undergoing major medical treatment. Children, who need
special care, often come from far a field RMH provides the social,
economical and proximity comforts to help ease these burdens, during an already
extremely stressful period. RMH, Miami is
the main facility for Caribbean families with
children in long term care. RMH Miami is set up to accept donations in
Giselle’s name. Check it out www.rmhcsouthflorida.org
and click on MAKE A DONATION tab . When completing your donation
please remember to make your donation in Giselle's Memory.

