Tortola
King and Queen of the Mountain Run
Run up Harrigan’s Hill a total of
947ft. to Fort Charlotte
Port Time: 7:00 a.m.
Run Time: Approximately 7:30 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”
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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.

