ST ANDREW will defend their title at the 27th staging of the Sagicor/JTA National All-Island Primary, All-Age and Junior High Schoolboys and girls Track and Field Championships which begins this morning at the National Stadium at 10:00.

Events in the two-day championships will see action in five classes for boys and girls. The classes are as follows: Class 1 (Under-17), Class 2 (Under-15), Class 3 (Under-13), Class 4 (Under-11) and Class 5 (Under-9) years of age.

Ransford Spaulding, coach of St Andrew, who have won the championships more than any other parish, said he is confident of retaining the title.

“Kingston team is a very strong one and is also all-round with depth. I cannot see us losing as neither Portland nor Kingston can get close enough to give us any challenges,” Spaulding said.

Spaulding is expected to have many runners who participated in the INSPORTS Junior High and All-Age Championships last month in his team. It could be made up mainly of John Mills students whom he coaches.

Meanwhile Dennis Kildare, coach of Kingston, said the team will be very strong in the field events and is also expected to pick up points in the track events.

“We do not have any outstanding athletes as of last year, but we are working on them and preparing them mentally and physically for the championships,” Kildare said.

The events are as follows: 100 metres, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long jump, high jump, shot put, 4×100 metres relays, sprint medley relay open, cricket throw open, and 4×400 open for boys and girls.