The third Bigga/JISA Inter Prep Schools Track & Field Championship runs off today at the National Stadium with the first event being the Class One boys 400 metres at 8:30 a.m.

The three-day meet will end on Saturday with the 4x200m Open event for boys.

Hydel Prep, with the biggest contingent of 68 athletes, are expected to retain their title in both the boys and girls categories, but not without a fight from the other 49 schools who will challenge them for top honours.

Last year, Hydel fielded six of the eight class champions and they all return to defend their titles. IAAF Level 11 coach, Corey Bennett, head coach at Hydel, thinks that they have a good chance of taking the championship again this year, even though they were sternly tested in the development meets leading up to the championship.

Highest number

New schools Logan's and Tapps take this year's number to 50, the highest number since the championship began in 1977, with just 11 schools.

Some of the athletes to look out for at this year's championship are Jordan James, last year's Class One Champion Boy; Class One Champion Girl Samara Spencer; and Shanice Ellis, all of Hydel, along with Shaunelle Wallace of Quest Prep and Christian Bryan of Kings Gate Prep.