More than 8,000 for Holland Bamboo 5K

MORE THAN 8,000 participants, the largest field in the five-race Burger King/Jamdammers Grand Prix Series Road Race Series, are expected to take to the road in today's Holland Bamboo 5K in St. Elizabeth.

Race director Alfred 'Franno' Francis said today's expected record turnout will be vying to share of the $151,000 prizemoney on offer.

Today's race offers the male and female winners $7,000 each, while the second and third-place finishers in both categories will get $5,000 and $3,500, respectively.

Battle among women

Another battle is expected on the female side between Arieta Martin, a student at G.C. Foster College, who leads the series with 29 points and Natoya Goule, the 2006 champion from Manchester High, who missed the first race.

Goule and Holmwood Technical schoolgirl Amoya Bailey are on 19 points each for joint second place.

In the men's section, Kirk Brown of Ebony Seek and Rupert Green lead the standings with 25 points each, but Kemoy Campbell, who missed the last race, should return to take the event.

Conroy Crossman of Edwin Allen, who has 24 points, should also add some spark to the men's field.

In the high school section, the tight races between the top teams, Kellis (27) and Edwin Allen (26) on the boys' side and Edwin Allen (28) and Holmwood (27) girls, are expected to continue.