KINGSTON, Jamaica — The iconic Western Relays has been cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding the availability of the track at GC Foster Sports College.

The organisers released a statement on Thursday as the meet, which was started in 1978, will not be held in 2026.

It detailed that the event was cancelled due to GC Foster being set to undergo resurfacing but with no confirmed start date for works to begin or any alternative location, the relays had to be cancelled.

“Track resurfacing typically takes three to four weeks to complete. Given this timeline, we felt it would be unreasonable to ask our loyal teams and supporters to wait without clarity on whether the meet could be staged within its traditional and allotted time frame,” the statement read.

“Considering the extensive planning and logistics required to host the Western Relays, as well as the lead time necessary to properly accommodate the many teams that participate each year, we determined that there was little to no flexibility available to proceed under these uncertain conditions,” it continued.

The Western Relays (formally known as the Milo Western Relays) is a premier track and field event in Jamaica, traditionally held on the second Saturday of February. Established in 1978, it serves as a critical developmental meet for junior and senior athletes.

It all started on the grass and dirt track at Cornwall College in Montego Bay and was once called the “COMETS Relays”. In 2003, it was moved to Catherine Hall, then GC Foster College.