Run for the Republic names scholarship in honour of late Hubert Lawrence

AN ANNUAL scholarship will be introduced and named in memory of the late veteran track and field analyst Hubert Lawrence at the second staging of the ‘Run for the Republic’ development track and field meet. The event is set for the Herbert Morrison Technical High School field, Montego Bay, on Saturday, January 18.

The announcement was made recently in a press release by meet organiser Aubrey Campbell, of the Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club, and in association with Comets Club International at Charlotte in North Carolina in the United States.

“He was considered the foremost brain of track and field history in Jamaica for a very long time. He was such an outstanding person in sports, so we are using this to immortalise him and keep his name out there as an outstanding figure who has served track and field well,” Campbell told STAR Sports.

“This is the first of what is to be an annual scholarship to a Herbert Morrison Technical High School (HMTHS) student valued at $37,000. It is to show gratitude to the HMTHS administration for their partnership. We are targeting a student athlete in Grade 10 or Grade 12,” he added.

Lawrence, who was a familiar face on television coverage on major championships all over the world, passed away last year, creating a void in the sport.

According to Campbell, the second staging will have a new format which the organisers hope will continue with the development of the athletes.

“In keeping with the development agenda, we are no longer combining primary and preparatory schools, they will run as separate teams.

Continuing, Campbell said, “Schools or the club teams will be limited to five athletes per event, up from two last year, and one relay team. Hopefully, with all things considered, including time constraints and resources.

This year, the organisers are replacing the high-school girls’ 400m with a 100m race, while the 4x400m for women will be an open affair.

The Class One Boys’ 800m will be replaced by the 400m and the high-school girls’ Class Two 200m race is being replaced by a 400m event.

“With all things considered, the organisers are hoping to surpass last year’s staging when 18 schools/clubs participated,” Campbell stated.

The entry fees for the meet have been raised to $10,000 for single-gender schools and $15,000 for co-ed schools.

The event is set to run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and this year’s sponsors include Custom Marble & Design Jamaica Ltd, EFAY Rent A Car, Peppa’s Restaurant, Karann Koncepts Events, Veggietarry Natural Juices and You Choose Radio Network/GA.

The deadline for entries is today and registration can be done at https://fortistiming.co/meets/register/74.