KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston College’s Julius Itubo ran a smart race to lead qualifiers for the next round in the Class 3 boys 1500m on Wednesday’s opening day of the 115th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

The Kenyan outclassed the field, easing down in the final 100m and finished in four minutes 14.24 seconds, just missing the previous record 4:12.50 set in 2019 by Bellefield High’s Trevaughn Martin.

Bellefield’s Jevaughn Tomlin, who won the second heat with 4:28.58, was next best followed by STETHS’ Dejaun Gray- 4:30.92 seconds and St Jago High’s Javaughne Tyrell who ran 4:31.56.

St Jago High’s Ryan Achau sent a message that he will be hard to beat in the Class 1 final after he ran 4:06.10, holding off Kingston College’s defending champion and Itubo’s Kenyan compatriot, Brian Kiprop (4:07.01), in their first round heat.

Shamar Walker of Glengoffe High with 4:08.11; Davieka Lewis of Calabar High- 4:08.63; Sequoia Mills of Edwin Allen High- 4:09.82; and Tianna Brown of Excelsior High (4:09.84) also advanced.

William Knibb Memorial’s Thywaine Sterling, the COCAA Western Champs gold medalist, led the Class 2 qualifying with 4:16.00, with another western athlete, Luke Plummer of Sydney Pagon, next with 4:18.54 and Edwin Allen High’s Moses Johnson third best with 4:16.35.

Bellefield High’s Drayvone Palmer, who ran 4:18.66, and Jamaica College’s Cavel Nooks (4:17.25) also advanced.