Philadelphia’s big Penn Relays track-and-field carnival — and its showcase of international Olympic-caliber superstars from the Caribbean and cream-of-the-crop high school competitors from the region — is just days away.
The three-day event for high school, college and international athletes runs from Thursday to Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field. Hordes of fans from the New York metropolitan area will join track-and-field enthusiasts from across the country at the 120th edition of the event, which has become a magnet for some of the Caribbean’s best talent in the sport.
Among the Penn Relays annual highlights is the ever-growing collection of Jamaican high school athletes — rocketing to Philadelphia after their nation’s Boys and Girls Champs and taking on all comers in running and field events. This group of youngsters and Caribbean athletes from other nations has been assisted for the past 20 years by the New York-based Team Jamaica Bickle organization, which aids in obtaining accommodations and transportation and provides familiar Caribbean foods during their U.S. stay.
Through Grace Foods and Vincent HoSang and his New York-based Caribbean Food Delights firm, Team Jamaica Bickle provides athletes with food and beverages.
Jamaica Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce interacted with track and field athletes and fans as a 2013 Grace Foods Ambassador at the Penn Relays, part of the corporation's presence felt at the track meet.
Jamaica Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce interacted with track and field athletes and fans as a 2013 Grace Foods Ambassador at the Penn Relays, part of the corporation's presence felt at the track meet.
Grace Foods – a major, longtime supporter of Jamaican high school teams at the Penn Relays – has renewed its commitment for this year’s meet by sponsoring eight championship relays races: including the High School Girls' 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 Championship of America races on April 24; and the High School Boys 400m Hurdles Championship; High School Boys 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 Championship of America events and the College Men's 4x200 Championship of America races on April 25.
“Grace is pleased to continue its support to TJB and the Penn Relays annual event. The relays serve as a wonderful opportunity to showcase the prowess of a number of our top athletes from Jamaica and the wider Caribbean" said Michael Ranglin, president and CEO of GraceKennedy USA.. “Our participation at the Penn Relays is also a great way to build awareness of our Food brand, interact with our consumers and to be exposed to a wider audience.â€
“Anything Grace does to make the visiting Jamaicans feel a bit more at home must help their comfort level, and for Americans, anything that brings a bit of the island to Philadelphia helps reinforce the notion of the Relays as an internationally significant event†he said.
For more information and tickets for Penn Relays, visit
www.thepenrelays.com
. And contact Team Jamaica Bickle by calling (718) 523-2861, sending email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visiting
www.teamjamaicabickle.org
.
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