EDISON Jefford, the organiser of the highly anticipated Jefford Classic Mile, has confirmed to Chronicle Sport that the all systems are green-lit for this Sunday’s historic event, which will see over $1M in cash and prizes being doled out to the top participants.

The Jefford Classic Mile will be held around the circuit of the National Park from 13:00hrs and is scheduled to conclude at 18:00hrs. However, the organiser has remained adamant that athletes should be assembled at 12:00hrs to ensure a strict starting time.

Jefford, who is also the founder of the Jefford Track and Field Classic, explained to Chronicle Sport that the venture is largely about resuscitating a prestigious platform for middle distance athletes. He noted that each category of athletics should have a signature event.

“There should always be a platform for each category of athletics where the crème de le crème or the best athletes in that segment is showcased. The South American 10km Road Race does that for distance athletes, but there is no signature event for the middle-distance athletes following the absence of the Golden Mile for many years,” Jefford posited.

“The aim is to fill this gap, while resuscitating a prestigious and historic event. We want to bring this back with a lot of hype, which means that the atmosphere and environment must be the best for the athletes since it’s all about them,” he added.

According to the mastermind behind the venture, all the funding for the event will be given to the athletes and to offset marketing and administrative costs since the activity is largely developmental.

The prize breakdown for the open, under-20, under-18 are as follows: 1st place $40,000, 2nd $25,000, 3rd $20,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000.

The under-14 category will see winners pocket vouchers from MVP sports worth the following: 1st $25,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $15,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000.

Under-50 and over-50 masters’ will pocket the following; 1st $25,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $15,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000. (Calvin Chapman)