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LEFT: The 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games 200m champion Xavier Brown is down to compete. RIGHT: Jermaine Gonzales of the High Performance Training Centre.

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

WHILE PERENNIAL headliners 100m world record holder Asafa Powell and female sprint sensation Sherone Simpson will not be around, today's 30th Milo Western Relays in Montego Bay is already a record-breaking affair with an unprecedented 103 teams confirmed to participate.

"We are expecting a excellent meet as in addition to our record entries, we have several top athletes, including national 400m record-holder Jermaine Gonzales and CAC champion Xavier Brown, down to compete," said meet director Ray Harvey. "Anticipation is quite high for the 4x800m relays, which have been designated 'Big Races'.

The relays, which is a Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) sanctioned event, is slated to start at 10:00 a.m. at the unfinished Catherine Hall Stadium on the outskirts of Montego Bay, which has been its home for the past six years. The final event is slated for 6:20 p.m.

With a record $1 million sponsorship this year - a $250,000 increase over last year's $750, 000, the organisers have expanded the incentive package by designating the 4x800s as 'Big Races' with special incentives. The cash prizes for the 'Big Races' are as follows: First - $35,000, second - $10,000 and third - $5,000.

The other cash prizes read as follows: the Most Outstanding Team - $25,000; Most Outstanding Male - $10,000 and the Most Outstanding Female - $10,000. Gift packages will also be presented courtesy of the sponsors.

Categories

While the three competing categories - preparatory/primary, high school and club/institution - should churn out a fair amount of excitement, the high school segment, which will feature the reigning female champions Holmwood Technical and their male counterparts, Herbert Morrison Technical, should take pride of place.

"With this year being an Olympic year, a lot of the athletes will be aiming to make a big statement," said Harvey. "Personally, I am expecting a fantastic meet."

Among the schools expected to be challenging Holmwood for the title are the likes of Manchester High, St. Elizabeth Technical, Rusea's and Manning's while former title-holders Kingston College, Munro College and Cornwall College will be among those seeking to dethrone Herbert Morrison.

Because construction work is now taking place at Catherine Hall, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has suspended work on one side of the stadium for today. With no temporary stands this year, special tents with seats will be erected between the perimeter fence and the running track and can be accessed at a minimal cost.

"While we have had to make a lot of adjustments because of the construction that is going on, we are still expecting a free-flowing event," said Harvey. "Right now it is all systems go."

National junior representative Dexter Lee, of Herbert Morrison, and Bobbi-Gay Wilkins, of Holmwood Technical, are already assured of walking away with two major awards even before they hit the track. The two are the recipients of The Gleaner Award for being the top male and female junior athletes at last year's event.