The Trinidad and Tobago contingent that will be competing in this weekend’s Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VII arrived in Guyana yesterday. The four athletes and the manager are very optimistic about putting on a show in Linden.
The 2015 International Men’s 800m Runner-up, Ashton Gill is the most experienced on the team and will lead them into the competition. “He’ll win that race this year for sure,” Manager, Kelvin Nancoo asserted yesterday.
Ashton Gill
Joanna Rogers
Gill and now US-based Kevin Bayley had an epic showdown last year for the 800m title with Bayley using his bottom end speed to win. Bayley arrived in Guyana from the US earlier this week and is hoping to defend his title.
The other athletes on the Trinidadian team include, Recardo Prescott, who will also compete in the 800m with Trinidad looking for a top two finish against the local middle distance athletes at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.
Shikyla Walcott will compete in the 100m and 200m Women’s races with the 200m earmarked as an International event as well. Joanna Rogers races in the 1500m against Grenadian Kenisha Pascal, along with other top local middle distance queens.
The Jamaican contingent arrived in Guyana last night while the other athletes are expected in Guyana today.
There are eight international events that carry a total purse of US$500 each with US$250 for the winner, US$150,000 for second place and US$100 for third, which amounts to US$4000, which will be handed out on the day.
In addition, the Champion Male and Female athletes will pocket $50,000 each while the Media and Masters races also have a similar $50,000 prize. Trophies will be given to the top four clubs, while medals will be given to all athletes placing 1-3; the total prize money for the clubs amount to $2M with the winner running away with $1 million.
(Guyana Times Sports)
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