Racers Grand Prix | Jamaica's Jackson, Miller-Uibo clash over 200m

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the Bahamian Olympic Champion in the 400m, is hoping to dip under 22 seconds in the 200 metres tonight at the third staging of the Racers Grand Prix.

"I am really excited to be back here in Jamaica. It is a fun place to compete, so I am really excited for the race tomorrow. The season started off really well for me. It was really exciting to open up with a low 22 seconds, and, hopefully, I can dip under 22 seconds this weekend," Miller-Uibo said yesterday. Her race is set for 8:30 p.m..

The 24-year-old won the half-lap race at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Australia. In that race, she beat the Jamaican duo of Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson, who is the reigning Olympic Champion in the event, into second and third, respectively.

Jackson, who predominantly runs the 400m but has decided to concentrate on the 200m this year, will line up beside Miller-Uibo this evening and will be looking to turn the tide on her Caribbean neighbour.

 

SIMPSON'S COMEBACK

 

Sherone Simpson, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist over 100m, will continue her comeback in to the sport after giving birth. American Candyce McGrone, Shashalee Forbes, and Jodean Williams will round out the field.

The men's 100m also promises some hot action as Noah Lyles, who has run 19.69 seconds over 200m this year, is looking to join the club of athletes who have run under 20 and under 10 seconds for the 200m and 100m, respectively.

"My 100m personal record (10.14 seconds) is from my junior year in high school. So I am hoping to run under 10 seconds this weekend," Lyles said.

The 20-year-old will have to contend with defending champion Yohan Blake, who is poised to prove to the world that he is now the man to beat in the 100m after his lacklustre performance in the 100m final at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

His training partner, Zharnel Hughes, is also one to watch. The Great Britain athlete has a season's best time of 10.01 seconds this year. Julian Forte, Senoj-Jay Givans, Moriba Morgan of Trinidad and Tobago, and Reynier Mena of Cuba will also face the starter for the race.

In the women's 100m, Briana Williams will test herself against the big girls as she gets ready for the World Under-20 Championship in July. Williams, who is ranked number three in the world in the Under-20 category, will line up against two-time Olympic Champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will be continuing to make her comeback after having her first child. Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallists Christania Williams and Gayon Evans will also face the starter.

Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic Champion from Grenada in the 400m, will test his fitness against Fred Kerley, the rising American quarter-miler, who has run under 44 seconds.

The field will be rounded out by Demish Gaye, Jevon Francis, Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago, Bralon Taplin Josesphus Lyles, and Matthew Hudson- Smith.

 Order of events

- 6:15 p.m: 400 metres Women A Race

- 6:25 p.m: 400 metres Men A Race

- 6:30 p.m: OPENING CEREMONY

- 6:50 p.m: High Jump Men

- 7:00 p.m: Shot Put Men

- 7:05 p.m: 800 metres Women

- 7:30 p.m: 400m Hurdles Women

- 7:40 p.m: Triple Jump Women

- 7:50 p.m: 400 metres Women

- 8:00 p.m: Discus Men

- 8:05 p.m: 400 metres Men

- 8:20 p.m: 200 metres Women

- 8: 30 p.m: 200 metres Men

- 8:45 p.m: 110m hurdles Men

- 9:00 p.m: 100 metres Women A Race

- 9:10 p.m: 100 metres Men A Race

- 9:20 p.m: 100 metres Women

- 9:30 p.m: 100 metres Men