KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two-time World Championships silver medallist Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith of the Ivory Coast and Jamaica’s Julian Forte both ran season’s best times to win the women’s and men’s 100m respectively at the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational at the National Stadium on Saturday.

In her first time competing in Jamaica and her first race of the season, TaLou-Smith ran 10.91 seconds (1.1m/s), just holding off Krystal Sloley who ran a personal best 11.09 seconds. Kemba Nelson was third in 11.12 seconds, also a season’s best.

Forte, who ran 10.07 seconds a week earlier, just held off World Indoor bronze medallist Akeem Blake as both men were awarded he same time of 10.02 seconds (0.8m/s), while American Brandon Hickling was third in 10.09 seconds.

Both B races were keenly contested. Bryan Levell won the men’s race in 10.15 seconds (0.6m/s), ahead of Tyquendo Tracey who was given the same time, with Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald third in 10.23 seconds.

Remona Burchell won the women’s B race in 11.57 seconds (1.9m/s) ahead of Shockoria Wallace who was second in 11.60 seconds and Jonielle Smith who placed third in 11.68 seconds.
-Paul A Reid