Amid growing challenges that have sent parts of Jamaica’s track and field calendar into uncertainty and forced the cancellation of some meets, organisers of the Camperdown Classic are pressing ahead with the 21st staging of the event, scheduled for February 14 at a new venue.

The meet, which has been moved from the National Stadium, will now be held at Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College, as promoters adjust to the realities facing the local athletics circuit.

Against that backdrop, Carlene Edwards, head of sponsorship and promotions at the JN Group, used the official media launch to challenge athletes to see sports as more than winning medals, urging them to focus “beyond the finish line” and on the character and life lessons built through competition.

“Being involved in sports means far more than your next race or your next meet. It prepares you for life,” Edwards, who was guest speaker at the launch, told the gathering inside the Camperdown High School library on February 4.

Edwards, who also serves in several sporting administrative roles, primarily in football, and who recently received an international appointment to a committee of FIFA, said the current climate reinforces the need for stronger systems to support sports development at the grass-roots level.

She noted that while talent often draws attention, success is sustained through structure, support, and conviction, qualities she said were crucial in keeping events like the Camperdown Classic alive even as other competitions face instability.

“Sports has taught me discipline, responsibility, how to manage my time, how to work with others, and how to show up, even when I feel tired, nervous, or unsure,” she said.

She said although medals and records matter, the greater value lies in the development athletes gain.

“Who you become through these activities matters even more,” she said. “The habits you form now will determine how far your talent can travel. Some of you will go on to become professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, administrators, or leaders in your spheres. That is what awaits you beyond the finish line.”

As someone who now operates in both corporate leadership and sports administration, Edwards also addressed the role of sponsorship in sustaining sports, noting that corporate support is driven by values and impact, not just branding.

“Companies do not invest in sports simply for visibility. Sponsors invest in values. They invest in impact. They invest in potential,” she said, adding that sponsors assess leadership, organisation, and sustainability before aligning with an event.

Pointing to the legacy of the Camperdown Classic, Ms Edwards added that Camperdown High School has long been recognised as part of Jamaica’s “Sprint Factory”, producing generations of elite athletes, while the Classic has become a staple meet offering athletes an early season platform.

She said the event should be envisioned as “more than a competition” and urged stakeholders to use it as a reminder that when sports are done right, it builds champions.

Edwards also praised coaches and teachers for their contribution to youth development, describing them as an often unseen foundation whose influence extends beyond the track.

The 2026 Camperdown Classic will feature the 100m, 800m, 4x100m, 4x400m, sprint medley, high jump, and triple jump for high school teams. Organisers said, similar to last year’s format, only two athletes per class per event will be allowed.

The seniors’ programme will offer the 60m, 100m, 800m, 4x100m, and 4x400m events.

Gates to the event will open at 8:00 am, with the final event scheduled to get underway at 6:30 pm. Tickets cost $1,000 for regular seating and $500 for children with valid identification. A covered ‘Grandstand’ area will also be available for $1,500.