Calling all the little GB Isles

Guernsey Athletics development officer Tom Druce says he would like to host several British Isles for a big summer meet.

This will most likely replace the previous big ‘Games’ meet and give various islands a taste of international opposition on the new eight-lane track.

If it goes ahead as planned, it will pit some of Guernsey’s finest competitors against strong rivalry from Jersey, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight, and various Scottish isles.

‘Communications will be happening with some of the British Isles to see if there’s an interest in coming over,’ said Druce.

‘The selling point for them is that they get to see the facilities and we get to use a lot of the procedures that we are thinking of using for the actual event itself.

‘That’s of interest to potential competitors, to go through those procedures, even in a lower-pressure situation.

'And just to see the track – that’s going to be exciting for them as well.’

Druce added that the club is currently sorting sponsorship and budgeting and that the meet is likely to be more affordable than the standard big event of previous years.

Guernsey Athletics have also scheduled four Sprint and Hurdles Fest events where the use of a new electrical point and track markings will allow races to finish on the back straight to ensure favourable wind.

This follows the trend of several popular UK opens such as the Run With The Wind meeting in Cardiff.

Druce also welcomed the return of the Field Fest series and has extended it to five fixtures from the four of its debut season in 2018.