Throws added to events at Milo Western Relays

THE DISCUS and shot put throws for boys and girls will be two additional events this year at the 45th staging Milo Western Relays at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine.

Milo will pump $4 million into the event which is set for Saturday, February 10. Events will begin at 10 a.m and end at 6 p.m

The announcement was made by Ray Harvey, chairman of the organising committee, during the launch at the Holy Trinity Church Hall in Westgate, Montego Bay, St James, yesterday.

"This year we will be introducing throws at the Milo Western Relays. We have been contemplating this for awhile, but we recognise that the facility at GC Foster allows us to have these events so we should," said Harvey.

This is the sixth year that the Milo Western Relays is being staged at GC Foster as the track at the Montego Bay Sports Complex needs to be repaired.

Nekesha Bartholomew-Ramey, consumer marketing manager, Nestle Jamaica, said that Milo will be wherever Western Relays goes.

"It shows how we are able to pivot even though we'd love to have it in western Jamaica. The track is being repaired but it didn't stop us from supporting. We keep coming back because it's really about the commitment to the athletes and their commitment to excellence. We have seen some good athletes coming from Western Relays so we are really proud to be a sponsor of the event," Bartholomew-Ramey said.

According to Bartholomew-Ramey, the core of the Milo brand is sports and activities.

"Seeing this commitment of Western Relays we decided that it is really true to our brand, so (we said) let's go and let's support. We love what we see and the energy," Bartholomew-Ramey added.

At this year's meet, prize money will be awarded to the top four places in three relays 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m. All three of the high school relays for boys and girls will receive, $40,000 for first place, $20,000 for second, $10,000 for third and $5,000 for fourth. There will be 60m races for senior athletes.

Previously called 'Comets Relays', the event has been held on the second Saturday of February each year. The major sponsors include Milo, Jamaica Olympic Association, Custom Marble, TrackAlerts, World Class Athletics and OnDiRun.