Jamaica Looks To Extend Dominance At 130th Penn Relays

BY NAN SPORTS EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. April 23, 2026: The 130th running of the Penn Relays opens today, with Jamaican athletes once again poised to dominate the track while Caribbean pride and culture take center stage in Philadelphia.

Set to run through Saturday, April 25th at the Ben Franklin Field in Pennsylvania, the historic relay carnival continues to serve as one of the premier showcases for Caribbean athletic excellence – with Jamaica leading the charge year after year.

From high school phenoms to elite collegiate competitors, Jamaican teams enter the 2026 edition with momentum and high expectations, particularly in the sprint relays where their rivalry with U.S. teams consistently delivers some of the meet’s most electrifying moments.

All eyes will be on rising 15-year-old standout Jason Pitter of Kingston College, who has already made headlines this season after shattering records at Jamaica’s Boys and Girls Championships. His anticipated showdown with U.S. star Quincy Wilson is shaping up to be one of the marquee matchups of the meet.

Jamaican powerhouse Kingston College will also be aiming to extend its dominance in the 4×400-m relays, while Edwin Allen High School’s girls team enters as a strong favorite in the 4x100m, bringing speed, experience, and championship pedigree.

This year’s meet will also highlight Caribbean legacy, with Jamaican long jumper Elva Goulbourne and Jamaica College’s historic 1999 4x800m team set to be inducted into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame – further cementing the region’s enduring influence on the event.

Adding to the moment, history will also be made for St. Lucia, as St. Mary’s College becomes the first team from the island to compete at the prestigious meet, signaling continued growth of Caribbean track and field on the global stage.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE

But beyond the competition on the track, the Penn Relays is equally defined by the Caribbean community that surrounds it – and at the heart of that experience is Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB).

Now celebrating more than three decades of service, the New York-based organization plays a critical role in supporting Caribbean athletes competing at the meet. Founded to ensure Jamaican athletes had access to familiar meals, TJB has grown into a full-service support network providing transportation, medical care, lodging assistance, and mentorship.

Often described as the backbone of the Caribbean presence at Penn Relays, TJB creates a home away from home for athletes, helping them perform at their best while reinforcing a sense of unity and cultural pride.

Its impact has been so significant that the Jamaican flag became the first foreign flag flown at the Penn Relays – a testament to the deep connection between the event and Caribbean participation.

With rising stars, fierce rivalries, and deep-rooted Caribbean traditions, the 130th Penn Relays is shaping up to be another powerful display of athletic excellence – and once again, Jamaica will be at the center of it all with thousands of Jamaican fans in the stadium to cheer on their home teams.