Donna Raynor, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, said last week’s inaugural Bermuda Invitational Permit Meet at the National Sports Centre far exceeded expectations.

The international track meet featured 76 overseas athletes, among them Olympic medal winners and world and junior world champions, as well as some of Bermuda’s elite athletes, who put on “a great show” for the thousands of spectators on hand.

“From the spectators’ standpoint, us as administrators and the athletes’ standpoint, I thought that our first Permit Meet went well,” Raynor said. “I think for our first time it ended up being a greater event than we thought it would be.

“Everything went off well, we had quality athletes and quality competition and I think we put on a great show for Bermuda to see athletics at that level.

“The turnout was fantastic. The covered stands were full and then you had quite a few people in the uncovered seats also. Ticket sales were kind of slow at first, but Bermuda came out and the crowd was in full force.”

Raynor cited the men’s 100 and 200-metres, school relays and men’s long jump among the meet’s most exciting events.

“Of course the highlight was Mike Frater and Mike Rodgers in that 100, which I thought was great,” she said. “Another highlight was Tre Houston in that 200 who I thought ran fantastic. He got out of those blocks and Mike Rodgers had to pretty much chase him down.

“The long jump was also a fantastic event. We had some quality long jumpers and to see these guys jump the distances that they jumped and their technique and so on I think was great.

“I also think putting on those high school, primary and middle school relays was great. The people really enjoyed that and we also added our Bermuda culture in having the Gombeys there and so all in all there were a lot of highlights.”

Last Friday’s track meet is the first of what Raynor hopes will be many more to come.

“Basically we are looking at this being an annual event because we’re trying to develop a circuit in the Caribbean and so we’re trying to keep it going,” she said. “We’re trying to put together a circuit similar to what they have in Europe, and I think we are ingrained in that circuit now and we’re definitely looking forward to next year.

“We have already had managers, coaches and athletes asking to be on the list for next year and I am sure they are going to spread the word.

“The athletes thought it was great and want to be invited back next year and are trying to book their tickets already. Next year I don’t think we will have any problem at all.”