A new champion will be crowned in tomorrow’s Heritage Day Junior Classic Road Race as last year’s winner Khari Sharrieff has been ruled out as he continues his recovery from injury.

The multi-talented athlete has yet to fully recover from an ankle injury he picked up playing football and only recently returned to the local junior running scene, competing in this month’s Bermuda Pacers Track Club Schools Relay Classic at Flora Duffy Stadium.

Among the top contenders vying for Sharrieff’s vacant crown are Gianluca Bortoli, who finished third last year, and Joseph Cechini.

Naomi MacGuinnes is back to defend her girls’ title this year and will be up against the likes of Azari Jones, Ella Shepherd and Gabriella Cechini.

Twins and Somersfield Academy students Joseph and Gabriella Cechini punched well above their weight on their successful debut in this month’s Waterfront Wellness 5K.

Joseph finished third overall in 18min 14sec, while sibling Gabriella was first among the women’s field and fifth overall in 19:15.

“West End Athletic Club wishes to invite the public to arrive early and show their boisterous support of Bermuda’s youth at the 26th Heritage Day Junior Classic Road Race on Friday May 24 as part of Bermuda Day activities,” club president and race director Anthony Raynor told The Royal Gazette.

“With registration ahead of last year's totals and back to pre-Covid levels, this year's race should be one for the record books.”

The event will showcase boy and girl runners aged 8 to 17 who will battle for honours among the four age categories on a new two-mile race starting across from Joell’s Alley on Front Street and finishing on Court Street this year.

“This year's event will take runners on a slightly different course on their way to Court Street,” Raynor added.

“After starting on Front Street and heading west, they will turn right at the Birdcage on to Queen Street and then right on to Church Street

“New this year, runners will make a left turn on to Cedar Avenue, where they will continue to Marsh Folly Road. Once on Marsh Folly Road, runners will continue to the turnaround point and back on Marsh Folly Road until making a left turn on to Dutton Avenue.

“Runners will stay on Dutton Avenue pass Dellwood Middle School until the roundabout, where they will turn left on to Angle Street and then right on to Court Street and the finish line.”

Registration deadline expires today at 6pm.

“For those who have not done so yet, registration is still available online at racedayworld.com for the following categories, 8 to 10, 11 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 17,” Raynor said.

“West End Athletic Club is excited to host the 26th Heritage Day Junior Classic Road Race and wishes to thank race sponsors, Lister Insurance Agency, Chubb, Rollin Pics and setPlay,” he added.

“West End Athletic Club also wishes to congratulate organisers of the 115th Bermuda Half Marathon Derby for their work to keep this tradition going.”