OVER $1M in cold hard cash will be up for grabs at this year’s edition of the Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun, which will feature an addition of two new relays and two cycle races and an increase in the cash prizes.
The event, which is set for April 30 at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, was officially launched yesterday morning at Palm Court Restaurant, with remarks from the organisers Edison Jefford and Colin Boyce, representatives from a few of the sponsors: STAG Brand Manager Lindon Henry, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, and Palm Court Manager Sasha Lewis.
This year marks the second edition of the annual event which began last year. Jefford noted that the organisation was even more encouraged to continue the event after last year’s turnout.
“We exceeded all expectations last year, where we filled the Police Sports Club ground to capacity. This year we expect similar patronage from sports fan and enthusiasts,” Jefford said.
This year the event will see two additions – 4x200m and 4x400m mixed relays – which will involve teams each comprising two males and two females. These two events will add to the other eight events already on the card of the annual event.
The other events are the 4x100m, 4x400m, sprint medley, and distance medley male and female relays.
A total $500 000 in prize money will be doled out in the races, with each race carrying a $50 000 purse divided up with $25 000 for first place, $15 000 for second and $10 000 for third. This marks a growth from the $40 000 per race last year.
The two cycle races will also carry prizes of $50 000 each with the same breakdown. The two races will be a male Devil-takes-the-Hindmost and a female 2 000m.
Complementing the races will be the dominoes, cricket and football competitions, as well as two novelty events. There will also be a ‘Kid Zone’ with bouncy castles, trampolines, face-painting and other attractions. This year will see the introduction of four gate prizes ranging from $20 000 cash to household hampers.
“All in all you can see that this year there is additional entertainment. Apart from the main events we had some other activities to entertain a wider cross section of spectating public. And we are encouraging one and all to come out. The gate prizes alone would encourage persons to buy more than one ticket,” Boyce said, as he urged patrons to come out in support.
Henry and Lewis also commended organisers for catering to a wide cross section of patrons.
“There’s no better way to come together and have some fun than through sports, and that’s the reason for this event. And when you come together to have fun there’s no better way to do that, than with STAG, and that’s the reason for this collaboration,” Henry said with a smile.
“The package that is offered in this event is the reason for STAG being on board with the event. There’s the track event, the football, there’s some grassroots stuff, there’s some high end, there’s the cycling, and for those who are not athletic there’s the dominoes game. No doubt there is something in here for everybody. We could agree that this is a recipe for a fun event.”
The event is being sponsored by Ansa McAl under their Lucozade Energy Drink and STAG brands, the National Sports Commission, Jude Cycle Shop, and Star Party Rentals.
