Registration Registers Success

Registration for the 2019  Harry Jerome Track meet is expected to equal or better the 700 entries that signed for the 2018 event and both Vincent Doyle and Kim Young the race directors started early with the registration as January 25th is the closing registration date.

It is co-sponsored since 2011 by both the Achilles International Track and Field Society and the Richmond Kajaks in the legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games.

The events gives the opportunities to provide athletes within the age group of U16, U18, open through to the Masters competing in the five (5) lane Track Zone.

The Harry Jerome Indoor Track and field Meet celebrated nine years of competition on Saturday night with the highest enrollment of participation with a total of record 601 taking part at the Richmond Oval on the afternoon.

In its highest in the event at the Richmond Olympic Oval that saw records several records broken in the races..

The event start time was 9:45 AM and continued throughout the morning and afternoon with the Greyhounds Track that saw the competition start with midget (14-15) age division kicking it off with the 60 meter hurdles immediately followed up by the 16-17 age group.

The winners would move to the preliminary races as well the open field of participants who also tried for their personal best (PD) times allowing them to advance to the finals in their respective age categories.

The competition (as we were told) was the strongest in the meets indoor history to date with a some exceptional talent on display throughout this years event which ranged from the youngest to the oldest advancing to the Masters categories.

Several high profile local track teams took for University including UBC, Thompson Rivers, and Trinity Western University, University of Victoria.

As well as local track teams The Richmond Kajaks, and Air Blastoff, Ocean Athletics and The Greyhounds Track field team, Richmond Kajaks, Achilles International Track and Field Society as well as the Greyhounds.

Eric Chatten (6’7”) 190 lb power jumper  of the Valley Royals Track Club in Abby entered in the high jump bringing his PB (personal best) of 2.18m outdoors and 2.10m indoors that set a stat of 2.05m  in early January.

He (Eric) is coached by Ziggy Szegalowicz who changed clubs moving from the Fraser Valley to the Metro Vancouver currently coaching the high jump under the Richmond Kajaks.

He (Ziggy) this year he has been named 2018 High Performance Coach of the Year by BC Athletics in addition to winning several honours and awards over the years.

The competition was very competitive throughout the day as mentions record time broken in the individual races and team events with the opening ceremonies taking place at 1:15pm with Diane Clement Clement.

Other former Olympians on hand and offering assistance to the attending athletes are as follows: were Charmaine Crooks, Graham Fell, Dr. Jack Taunton, Lynn Kanuka, Chris Winter.

Jason Beck (BC Sports Hall of Fame Curator) was on hand with additional information of Harry Jerome’s history for individuals who were on hand to not only see, but read of his accomplishments.

The Competition continued after the ceremonies and the action on the track continued with the scheduled races in all categories on the programs.

The day’s events that all led up to the finals would see all winners decided in advancing from the earlier competition reaching the finals this year.

Special “thanks” to the organization committee for their professional manner in which they treated Sportswave media.

For a recap visit http://results.tfmeetpro.com/Swan_Racing/Harry_Jerome_Indoor_2018/