THE 2026 JAAA track and field season continues today with the staging of the McKenley/Wint Classic at Calabar High School and the Central Hurdles, Field Events and Relays meet at GC Foster College. Both meets are set to start at 8:30 a.m.
Support is high at both meets as the cancellation of a few meets, including the Grace Jackson Invitational and the Milo Western Relays, has forced coaches to seize every opportunity to ensure their charges hit the qualifying marks.
The green light for the Central Hurdles, Relays and Field Events meet was only given a week ahead of the meet as the all-weather facility at GC Foster was earlier said to be unavailable because of restoration work on the track.
However, with delays caused by equipment still not being cleared at the wharf, meet manager Chester McCarthy made the announcement earlier this week that the meet will go ahead.
According to McCarthy, all is set for today’s staging at the venue.
“I will say we are 85 per cent there right now. We are not necessarily complete in terms of finances, but our federation has rendered some assistance through Puma and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association has given additional equipment. TRK Party Rentals and Gentle Ambulance Service have both given us part sponsorship. All in all, the basics are covered and the meet will go as scheduled,” said McCarthy.
Today’s meets will see action in relay events. The prestigious Gibson McCook Relays has been shortened this year where only finals will be contested and those who finished outside the top eight at last year’s staging will be hoping to put on good performances in bids to get invitations to compete on February 28.
