Following the submission of preliminary entries by the 24 competing islands, early indications suggest that the Jersey 2015 half-marathon will be the biggest since the Games began in 1985, and that no fewer than five field events may require heats – something which has happened just once before.
Jersey 2015: 47 men, 32 women
Bermuda 2013: 34 men, 18 women
Isle of Wight 2011: 33 men, 21 women
Aland 2009: 25 men, 20 women
Rhodes 2007: 36 men, 17 women
Shetland 2005: 25 men, 13 women
Athletics co-ordinator Andrew Winnie has confirmed that a total of 79 un-named athletes (47 men, 32 women) have been registered for the 13.1 mile half-marathon, which is due to start and finish at FB Fields, and that he has been forced to pencil in heats for field events such as discus, javelin and long jump.
The men’s and women’s long jump at the 2009 Games in Aland are the only other field competitions in history to have required qualification for the final.
However, despite original hopes that Jersey would host the Island Games’ first ever women’s pole vault competition, the event has been removed from both the men’s and women’s schedule due to a lack of interest.
‘We have had some withdrawals since December when the numbers were submitted, so we’re now outside of the minimum number of athletes required to hold a pole vault competition,’ said Winnie. ‘We had five men and five women put forward originally, but now we’re down to three and three. I offered islands poles to use, but it didn’t make a difference.
No fewer than 23 entrants have been put forward for both the men’s and women’s long jump this year, while there are 17 male athletes entered for both the discus and javelin and 15 for the men’s high jump and triple jump. The maximum number of athletes permitted to compete in a field final is usually 12.
‘I can’t remember there being so many athletes for the field events,’ Winnie continued. ‘Twelve athletes are allowed into the final, but this can be pushed up if we only one or two over that. And usually about 20 per cent of athletes withdraw before the start, so it could all change.’
Winnie also said that he is in need of volunteers for the Games to help officiate.
‘I am looking for volunteers to supplement the qualified officials we’re getting over from the UK,’ he added. ‘For the half-marathon we’ve got 60 junctions, so we’ll be needing at least marshals for that, and others to help move hurdles at the track and things like that.’
Individuals interested in getting involved with athletics at Jersey 2015 are asked to contact Mr Winnie on 07797 735828.
