A large group of athletes, led by those who just competed in the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, left Bermuda this week to compete in the Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational at Duke University.The Pacers are sending some 32 athletes while there are 13 athletes going from the Flyers.

Five of the athletes who were competing at the World Youth Championships last week — Matthew Spring, Aaron Evena, Harold Houston, Alexis Bean and Eulannae Douglas — will be running for the Pacers.

Cal Simons, head coach of the Pacers, said: “This will be our 25th anniversary of competing at the East Coast Invitational. A lot of Bermuda top senior athletes have gone to this meet before which attracts about 150 teams from the US. There are usually about 3,000 athletes competing over the weekend and historically we have done well. In fact in the last three years the Pacers have been in the top five clubs. A number of our athletes have been before but we are also taking 10 athletes who are going for the first time.”

The age range of athletes at the East Coast Invitation ranges from eight to 18-years-old.

Also helping Simons are coaches Jarita Dill and Gina Cann — both of whom were Pacers in their younger years and both who have represented Bermuda before.

“It is nice to see former members come back and coach — they want to give something back and that is so important,” added Simons.

While the Pacers will be competing at this top meet for the 25th time, it will be the first time that the Flyers will be competing.

Donna Watson, head coach for the Flyers, will also have Pan American Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games veteran Mike Watson coaching the middle distance runners.

Donna Watson said: “There will be 13 athletes travelling and they all had to reach the qualifying standards to be able to participate in this track meet.”

And Watson said the club and athletes managed to get sponsorship to help with the costs of travelling and competing.

“We went out to companies to get the athletes sponsored for this event,” she said.

Among the 13 athletes from the Flyers will be CARFITA Games veterans Darico Clarke in the 400 and 800 metres and Ashley Berry who will be competing in the 800, 1500 and maybe 3000 metres.

“These athletes have had a very good year with all of them placing in the top three in all of the overseas events we have participated in,” said Watson.

The Flyers have competed an indoor meet in New Jersey — the Tommy Burns Foundation USATF Indoor Track & Field Meet — staged in late January as well as the Northwest Track & Field Classic held in June in Miami and the Cliff Wiley Track & Field Classic held earlier this month in Baltimore.

“I am looking for some good things from these athletes this weekend but also realise that the competition will be much tougher (than previous meets),” said Watson.

The Pacers athletes will compete in a total of 78 individual events.

The meet at Duke University will be staged today, Saturday and Sunday.