PHILADELPHIA, United States — Jamaican women won two events and the 4×400-metre men created a mild upset in the USA vs The World series on yesterday’s final day of the 123rd Penn Relays carnival at Franklin Field, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

Under bright blue skies and 80 degrees fahrenheit weather, the Jamaicans, who were cheered on by a crowd that was predominantly Caribbean, continued their good run from last weekend’s IAAF World Relays Championships in the Bahamas.

The Elaine Thompson-led women’s 4x100m team won in a season’s best 42.25 seconds — faster than the winning time in the Bahamas. The women’s 4x400m held on to beat the United States, while a strong run from Olympic semi-finalist Fitzroy Dunkley saw the Jamaicans just edge the USA on the line in the men’s 4x400m.

Thompson got the baton just a few steps behind the USA Red’s Morolake Akinosun, and got by her after a few strides then ran away to win easily.

Christania Williams led off the team and handed off to Kerron Stewart, while Gayon Evans ran the third leg.

The men’s team of Kevaun Rattray, Oshane Bailey, Kavean Smith and Jevaughn Minzie took a few steps to atone for dropping the baton in the Bahamas last week, but placed second with 39.01 seconds behind the USA Red (38.87 seconds).

The women’s 4x400m team showed a lot of guts and determination to keep the USA at bay. Third-leg runner Dawnalee Loney dug in deep to create separation before handing off to anchor leg runner Janieve Russell, who kept her head despite a challenge from the experienced Natasha Hastings.

Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Shericka Jackson ran the first two legs for the Jamaican girls who ran 3 minutes 28.32 seconds, while the USA ran 3:29.30 minutes.

The men’s team of Jermaine Gayle, Martin Manley, Leford Green and Dunkley clocked a creditable 3:03.14 minutes to win the 4x400m for the first time since 2005.

Dunkley got the baton behind the USA’s veteran Calvin Smith, and gradually closed the gap until just before the line when he passed him for the victory.

The American ran 3:30.25 minutes and the Bahamas were third in 3:06.20 minutes.

The Jamaican women were second in the sprint medley relays (SMR) as the team of Audra Segree, Natasha Morrison, Anastasia Le-Roy and Verone Chambers clocked 1:36.67 behind the USA (1:35.59), with USA Blue third in 1:37. 22 minutes.

The Men’s SMR placed fourth with Mario Forsythe, Jamari Rose, Allodin Fothergill and Jo-Wayne Hibbert running 3:19.97 minutes behind two American teams and Nigeria.

— Paul Reid