MONTEGO BAY, St James – Both patrons and athletes are expected to benefit from an adjustment in the schedule at this year’s 34th staging of the Milo Western Relays to be held at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on February 11.

Meet Director Ray Harvey told Observer West this week that the organising committee has taken the decision to begin the eight hour meet at 1:00 pm, instead of the customary 10:00 am start.

“With the facility having world class flood lights, it makes sense that we start the meet later to maximise the performance of the athletes, as well as to ensure that more patrons get a chance to see the world class event we have here,” he said.

Flood lights were used at the event for the first time last year, but for only a few events.

Harvey said however, that the response from the fans and the athletes, as well as the coaches, have prompted the organisers to push the start for a later time.

He added that the “lessons learned from the staging of the CARIFTA Games at Montego Bay Sports Complex last year,” was also a factor.

“We saw that most of the patrons came to the venue after 4:00 pm and this told us something,” he argued.

The adjustments in the schedule, according to Harvey, would also see the sprint relays for high schools and club being contested in the late afternoon and evening when the temperatures are cooler.

This he said, would benefit the sprinters and will also give “the patrons who have things to do, to get them over with” and still get a chance to enjoy a large portion of the meet.

Harvey told the Observer West that he expects the usual large turn out of top schools and clubs from across the island, adding that already organisers are getting inquiries and entry forms are being sent in.

The meet will be launched on February 2, when full details of the day’s activities will be announced.