Layla hits CARIFTA stride in 800m

Middle and long-distance runner Layla Haynes is the latest Barbadian athlete to qualify for the CARIFTA Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Haynes, 16, a former Harrison College star athlete, clocked 2 minutes 13.06 seconds on Thursday night, surpassing the required 2:15.00 for Under-20 Girls in the open 800-metre event at the East Lake Early Bird Invite in Florida.

She made her debut at the 2019 edition of the CARIFTA Games and was seventh in the 1 500-metres in 5:15.55 minutes.

Once ratified by the Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB), Haynes’ qualification will take the number of local athletes for the Games to seven so far.

She joins thrower Kevon Hinds, multi-event athlete Aren Spencer, sprinters Josiah Parris and Kishawna Niles, middle distance runner Ashlyn Simmons and long-distance athlete Fynn Armstrong, who have all met the requirements.

The CARIFTA Games are slated for April 14-16. (AGB)