… Jefford Classic Mile set for March 12

ATHLETICS Guyana has released its 2023 calendar and it promises a busy year for track & field in Guyana with the near future not being short of any action.

This Sunday, Athletics Guyana will host its second development meet of the year at the National Track & Field Centre (NTFC) in West Demerara. This will be followed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) Junior League on February 18th & 19th at the NTFC that will serve as the official trials for Carifta Games 2023 (Bahamas; Easter weekend).

The third development meet is scheduled for March 5th at the NTFC and it will be followed by the highly anticipated Jefford Classic Mile on March 12.

Organiser of the Jefford Classic Mile, Edison Jefford, shared that, “If you are familiar with the history of athletics in Guyana, you would recall the great rivalries of the ‘Golden Mile’ race around the circuit of the National Park.

“I am pleased to announce the rebranding, resuscitation and return of this historic event, and the confidence of the national association reposed in me and my organisation to undertake this project.”

“We have not had such an event to the detriment of the middle distance athletes who do not have an event to call their own and I thought it would be a great initiative.”

Jefford, a veteran journalist and organiser of the popular Jefford Classic track meet, will not be able to host Athletics competition this year due to the host venue, the MSC ground, still undergoing renovations.

The Golden Mile has been conceptualised not only as a way for middle-distance athletes to get healthy competition but for a way for them to earn. Each race category will have a total prize purse of $100,000 with the winners pocketing $50,000; second place $30,000 and third $20,000.

Events slated include Open Male and Female, Masters’ Male and Female, under-20 Male and Female, under-18 Male and Female, and under-16 Male and Female. There will also be a novice event for non-competitors.