TOP TEAMS and individuals will be on the hunt for major prizes as the Digicel Grand Prix Finals takes place today with the staging of the G.C. Foster Classics starting this morning at 9 a.m.
This will culminate after the staging of five meets, which included the Youngster Goldsmith Classics, Western Championships, Camperdown Classics, Central Championships and Corporate Area Championships.
Defending champion Edwin Allen along with St Jago Boys are in pole position to take home top prize of $1 million, as both teams have big leads going into today's grand finale.
After their big win at the Central Championships and good results at Youngster Goldsmith, the Michael Dyke-coached team Edwin Allen is on 133 points - 52 points ahead of second place St Jago on 82 points. Excelsior (80), Holmwood (77) and St. Elizabeth Technical (70) close out the top five.
St Jago Boys are in a dominant position among male teams as they have a 55-point lead over nearest rival Calabar, who are on 110 points. Kingston College are in third with 82 points, ahead of defending champions, St Elizabeth Technical, on 76 points in fourth, while Munro College are in fifth position on 58 points.
While Edwin Allen girls and the boys of St Jago look a cinch for the top team prizes, it is expected to be keen competition in individual events as with the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships a few weeks away, athletes will be hoping for bragging rights as they seek psychological advantages going into 'Champs'.
Calabar's Christopher Taylor, the World Youth champion in the 400m, looks set to continue his winning ways here and after his fast time in the 100m a week ago, he looks ready to go faster than his 47.18 seconds posted at the Youngster Goldsmith meet and should come out on top here as overall winner.
St Elizabeth Technical's Nigel Ellis has been having a great season so far in both the 100m and 200m and he is down to defend his title in the 100m for Class I boys.
Among the girls, the 100m and 400m are expected to keep the crowd on their feet throughout as both events should be thrillers. In the 100m, Edwin Allen's Shellece Clarke will be hoping to avenge her mid-week defeat to St Jago's Kimone Shaw, who won the Class II event at Central Championships in a close finish.
The Class I 400m will see two sub 53 seconds girls in action as St Elizabeth Technical's Junelle Bromfield and Holmwood's Ashley Williams are expected to have an epic battle. At Western Championships, Bromfield cracked 52.43 seconds, but the vastly improved Williams with her 52.72 seconds clocking at Central Championships will be hoping to go much faster.
Today will also see the staging of the Ben Francis Invitational meet. This will take place at Jamalco Sports Club in Halse Hall Clarendon starting at 9 a.m: