Milo Relays to set Montego Bay alight

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau: The Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay is poised to come alive this morning, when the venue plays host to the 33rd renewal of the much-anticipated Milo Western Relays, which is making a return to the west after being staged outside of the region over the past two years.

Because of the unavailability of the then unfinished 7,500-seating Catherine Hall Stadium, the Ray Harvey-led organising committee for the Milo Western Relays had no choice but to switch to G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in St Catherine in 2009 and 2010.

"We are happy to be returning home to the west this year," said meet director Harvey. "Our plan is to give the fans a special treat so we are making an urgent appeal to all lovers of track and field to come and support this meet."

Based on some of the clubs and school teams that have confirmed their participation, records could tumble as teams such as the MVP Track Team, with Olympians Asafa Powell and Brigitte Foster-Hylton; UTech, UWI, G.C. Foster, Kingston College, Wolmer's Boys, Holmwood Technical and Manchester High are all expected to report at full strength.

While the full details of Milo's sponsorship have not been made public, Harvey recently announced that an additional $360,000 in cash prizes will be on offer to the successful athletes. The 4x100m race has been added to the pool of events that will attract cash prizes.

cash prizes

Prior to this year's staging, the top four finishers in the high school 4x400m and 4x800m were awarded cash prizes, but with the absence of the Milo Junior Grand Prix this year, a decision was taken to add the 4x100m to the prize races.

In terms of the overall schedule, the women 4x800m, which formerly had the clubs/institutions and high schools running together, will be separated.

Also, The Gleaner/Youthlink Awards, which have become an integral part of the Milo Western Relays, will have three recipents this year instead of the customary two.

The three awardees are world junior champion Dexter Lee, who is bagging the award for the second time; Youth Olympic 100m gold medallist Odean Skeen of Wolmer's Boys School; and Herbert Morrison High School's star athlete, Seidatha Palmer.

Renowned western Jamaica track coach, Claude Grant, who is credited with transforming Herbert Morrison into a major track and field force, will be the patron of this year's championship.