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Gibson McCook Relays expect ‘excitement’ despite shortened format
January 30, 2026
For the second time in its 49-year existence, the Gibson McCook Relays will use a shortened format as the annual track and field meet is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Melissa. But the meet's stakeholders guaranteed this will not take away from the excitement on the track.
This year's staging will see a major change, with organisers announcing a shortened 'finals-only' format, instead of the usual rounds of heats.
The announcement was made yesterday at the meet's media launch held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
In 2022, the meet experienced a shortened format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"What I like is that this year, although there are no big championships, you see the athletes already coming out and competing in the other meets. So, to be sure, these guys are going to come out," said Ryan Peralto, a member of the Gibson McCook Relays organising committee.
"I think the shorter format as well should add a lot of excitement."
SELECTING FINALISTS
With the shortened format, Peralto said organisers now have the challenge of selecting the finalists for each event. That decision, he said, will take into account performances from last year's staging.
However, Peralto admitted that they are open to hosting two sections for an event, if the quality of the field cannot be cut down to eight competitors.
"That's always the challenge because when you have the heats, now you get a chance. The teams get a chance to try out the youngsters; the ones that they're not sure about running when they meet, and then they can switch up their finals," he explained.
"We're looking at the teams right now and I have a number of teams that want to enter in the one event, but we're looking at them on the basis of their 2025 performances," Peralto continued.
"That's what we're going to be doing to choose the final eight. There are some that we're going to have to look at, and we may have to run two sections, because we don't want to lock out a team that some other teams need for that competition."
The Gibson McCook Relays is set to be held on February 28 at the National Stadium.
