PHILADELPHIA, United States — Rushell Clayton of UWI scored a historic win in the College Women’s 400m hurdles at the 121st Penn Relays yesterday, becoming the first person from the Mona-based institution to win the intermediate hurdles here under bitterly cold conditions.

Clayton clocked 57.81 seconds to best the large field, and later told the Jamaica Observer she was pleased with the time, given conditions.

“It was hard out there, it was very cold and I am pleased with my performance,” said the former Frome Technical and Vere Technical athlete, who was fifth last year.

Clayton is the second local-based runner to win the event after Kaliese Spencer did it first in 2007, while representing the University of Technology (UTech).

Another Jamaican, University of Technology’s Janieve Russell, the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, was the pre-race favourite, but did not show up for the event. The Observer learned she was held back for the relays later in the day.

Rhonda White of GC Foster finished sixth overall after running 1:00.18 seconds.

Clayton’s win saw a Jamaican winning the event for the third straight year after former Immaculate Conception High runner Samantha Elliot won it the last two years for Johnson C Smith University.

Seven Jamaicans have won the event since it was introduced in 1978: Deon Hemmings won in 1992 and 1993; Tanya Jarrett in 1999; Peta Gaye Gayle a year later; Alison Beckford in 2004; Spencer for UTech in 2007, before Elliot in 2013 and 2014.

–Paul A Reid