Prizes for all at 10th Camperdown Classics
Published:Thursday | January 30, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
Members of one of the world's top athletics club, Racers, are set to open their season at the 10th staging of the Camperdown Classics on Saturday, February 8. The meet is set to run off at 8:15 a.m. with the women's 400m hurdles.
Camperdown past student Ricardo Fuller, who has played football at the highest level, will be this year's honouree.
Meet chairperson Cynthia Cooke, though not able to give individual names, stated that all the athletes at the Glen Mills-led Racers - which boasts the likes of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir - will face the starter as long as they are 'fit and able'.
"Once again the athletes from the Racers Track Club will open their season at the Camperdown Classics," Cooke shared during yesterday's press launch at the Spanish Court Hotel. "All who are fit and able will participate in this year's event."
Olympic and World Championship medallist Weir, however, confirmed to The Gleaner that he will be lining up in the 400 metres.
winning prizes
Twenty-four schools are already confirmed for the meet ahead of Monday's closing date for registration. A total of $60,000 will go to the winner of the Class One boys and girls' relay teams, with the second and third-place finishers set to pocket $25,000 and $15,000, respectively. All other participants will receive mementos.
"Every athlete, every official and every coach will leave with some token or gift to remember the 10th staging," Cooke said. "There will be special gifts for the winners of the 10 100-metre events. The schools who have been with us for the 10 years will receive gift vouchers, the coaches and the officials will receive memorabilia. We have special 10th-staging trophies for the winners of all events and special medals for the runners-up."
Guest speaker at yesterday's launch Dr Peter Ruddock, manager of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department, advised athletes to avoid supplements.
Ruddock argued that the testing cost is prohibitive and Jamaican athletes are high profile and very visible targets.
"If you are caught, the sanctions can be severe and career-ending - loss of earnings and loss of your reputation," Ruddock, who is also general secretary of the Camperdown Alumni St Andrew Chapter, said. "My estimation is that it is not worth it or necessary, so I would say just avoid the supplements."
The meet will once again be streamed live and can be viewed from the Camperdown Classic website and The Gleaner website.