Ryan Peralto, a member of the Gibson McCook Relays Organising Committee, is very upbeat about this year’s staging of the event, despite a truncated programme.
Peralto is the man in charge of registration for the 49th staging of Jamaica’s premier relay carnival, scheduled for February 28, which will feature finals only.
Action will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. This is unlike previous years — except for 2022 due to COVID19 — when the competition usually starts at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 8:30 p.m.
“This year we have decided to change the format at the Gibson McCook Relays. We have done away with the whole-day schedule, where we had preliminary rounds in the morning session before starting the finals in the late afternoon,” said Peralto.
“After the COVID meet, since 2023, we have been thinking about changing the format, and I think this is the right time to do so. It’s been a mixed reaction from coaches. Some of the senior coaches believe this is the right way to go, while high school coaches are disappointed because they wanted to get as much exposure as possible for their athletes in the preliminary rounds,” he shared.
Unlike the COVID-affected meet in 2022, he believes this time around will be different in terms of spectator support.
“In 2022, there were several protocols in place for fans to attend the meet, but this time that will not be the case, and we are expecting a big crowd in just over four hours of good entertainment for the fans,” he continued.
Asked how teams will qualify for this year’s staging, his response was, “Based on last year’s results, we will be inviting the top eight teams for each event, and we will make a few tweaks along the way.”
Peralto added that teams outside the top eight can still register, and they will take it from there.
Peralto revealed that the mixed relays, which were introduced last year, will not take place this time around.
“We will not be having the mixed relays this year, but we will have all the usual individual events, including the 60 metres, which was a success last year,” said Peralto, who stated that athletes will get world-ranking points in individual events
In last year’s 60 metres, Remona Burchell won ahead of Tia Clayton, while Ackeem Blake got the better of Oblique Seville in the men’s event. Clayton later went on to win silver in the women’s 4×100-metre relay at the World Championships in Tokyo, while Seville captured gold in the men’s 100 metres at the Championships.
He is urging fans to come out in their numbers to support the meet once again.
“Tickets will go on sale online very soon, and I am hoping the fans will turn out in large numbers as usual to support this year’s staging, as they will definitely enjoy this new format,” he said.
The meet will begin with the U12 Boys’ Prep School 4x100m final at 4 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. with the High School Boys’ Open 4×400 metres.
