Posted: June 23, 2006

Athletics: $4000 prize money for Aileen Meagher Track Classic

The Aileen Meagher Track Classic today announced its prize money structure for 2006, July 9th.

An announced purse of $4000.00 is being posted. Top athletes in the men's and women's 100m and 200m, the women's 1500m and the men's mile will all be able to compete for a share of the prize. Winners in the women's 1500m and men's mile will each receive $600 while the silver and bronze medal athletes will take home $300 and $100 respectively. The Aileen Meagher will offer the same prize money structure to the track meet's top sprinters but there will be a twist. The top sprinters will be decided only after both the 100m and 200m have been completed. Each athlete's time from the 100m and 200m will be added and the athletes with the best cumulative times will win the top prizes.

Meet director Kevin Heisler hopes the announced prize money will help attract more top athletes to the event.

"If the prizes can add a little more incentive for a few athletes and get a few more bodies on the start-line the meet will be that much better. We've always provided a lot of travel and accommodation support for the international level athletes coming to Halifax for the meet, and we're still doing that. We just hope the prize structure can help add another level of incentive and maybe a little more excitement for the fans."

Heisler says this year's event could be the most exciting ever.

"We are expecting strong fields in both the men's and women's sprints. The women's sprints in particular may be interesting for local fans. There will be an chance to watch some local athletes shine with Halifax's Adrienne Power and Bridgewater's Jenna Martin both doubling in the 100m and 200m. The women's 1500m is also coming together quickly. We'll end the meet with classic men's mile which may end up the fastest ever on Nova Scotia soil. We could definitely see a time under four minutes with the athletes who have confirmed entry".

National / international level fields are also being assembled in other events including the men's and women's 800m, and the men's shot put.

The Aileen Meagher is Eastern Canada's longest running showcase track & field meet. This year will be the 13th annual. The Aileen Meagher will also be the grand finale for the 2006 Eastern Canadian High Performance Series featuring five meets in Hamilton (June 28), Ottawa (July 3, 5) and Sherbrooke (July 7). The Aileen Meagher will run from 6:00pm until 8:00pm on July 9th in an action packed, high-energy format.

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