THE city of Philadelphia will be abuzz with excitement as the Penn Relays really gets into high gear today with Jamaica’s high schools, universities and track clubs taking to the track inside Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of Jamaican athletes, despite running in their respective school colours, are ultimately representing the black, green and gold of the small island of Jamaica. The annual relay carnival, in its 121st year, is a must on the track and field calendar. But when and how did it all begin for Jamaica?

Back in 1963, the legendary Herb McKenley, a Calabar High past student who went to the University of Illinois in the United States of America, was president of the then Jamaica’s Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA). He watched Kingston College (KC) dominate ‘Champs’ and suggested they take their talent overseas.

KC was coached by Donovan Davis, and he would later admit that he didn’t know what Penn Relay was at the time. The school didn’t make it to Penn Relay that year because their entries were late.

The following year, once again prompted by McKenley, KC submitted their entries on time and were accepted to participate at the 69th staging of the Penn Relays. That was the historic first step which changed the landscape in Philadelphia whenever it was time for Penn Relays.

The pioneering KC from North Street actually won the 4×100 metre event with the great Lennox Miller alongside Jimmy Grant, Rupert Hoilette and Tony Keyes, immediately earning Jamaican schools the level of respect which still exists 51 years on.

The Penn Relays was also an opportunity for Jamaican athletes to showcase their talents to the many scouts offering scholarships to the American universities, and it did open a lot of gates.

Today, hundreds of athletes from Jamaica from approximately 40 high schools and universities will participate at Penn Relays. Several thousands of eager Jamaican fans will converge at the University of Pennsylvania for the relay carnival. Let the games begin!