If you have ever driven from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay you know that those who venture out this weekend to participate in the '

8 Tuff Mile

' race are a different breed -- special, all!

The course map below is a very accurate account of the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race course. The race begins on the west end of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands and travels in an east direction. This map shows each mile of the course and the elevation at each mile. Note that the course measures 8.38 miles. The starting line is located at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay at an elevation of about 5 feet. As you can see here in this description the highest point on the course is 999 feet and the finish line is back to near sea level in Coral Bay. Over the years many stateside residents have programmed their treadmills and turned up the heat in their home gyms to mimic the course for their personal training proposes.

Climbing to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building (using the stairs) and reaching the highest point of the 8 Tuff Miles course you are close in elevation. There is about 51 feet difference between the two but I would like to know"...

Who do you think has the better view?

What is especially cool these days is that the race founder, organizer, overall good guy race-guru Peter Alter, has set up the race to

support a number of great causes

and fund college scholarships for St John's wonderful children.  The race also has become another great 'excuse' to gather 'post race' to celebrate, brag, party, and in typical St John fashion support great causes. So, if you are on-island this weekend participate in the race by running, walking, or cheering those that do and post-race head on over to

Oppenheimer Beach for the 2nd annual post-race party

which supports the St John Cancer Fund.

Can't make it to St John this weekend but, if you are as passionate about St John as we are you might want to tune into the 'Live Streaming' of the 8 Tuff Mile Race finish line!