Jake Smith’s final chance to qualify for the Carifta Games has received a boost with Jake Brislane to pace him for the 5,000 metres this afternoon.

The 17-year-old, who has been to the Games on three previous occasions, has to run the 5,000 in 16min 40sec at Flora Duffy Stadium to be considered for selection.

With Brislane, a silver medal-winner in Grenada last year, offering to set the pace for Smith, the Butterfield Invitational Mile high school champion is confident about his qualification chances.

“I’m feeling stoked for this 5K,” he told The Royal Gazette. “I have had more time for training recently due to the two-week school break.

“I'm feeling stronger and more confident heading into this track meet qualifier compared with the previous ones.

“The Carifta qualification time for the 5K is a 16:40. The closest I have come to this so far is a 16:50, which I achieved on March 8.

“Jake Brislane is a great runner who won two medals at the Carifta Games in Grenada last year. With Brislane's assistance in setting the pace for the race, I believe my chances of getting the time are far more achievable.”

Last year, Smith qualified for the 1,500 at Carifta, where he ran a 4:08. He is hoping to be allowed to do the same distance if he meets the standard for the 5,000.

Brislane, who achieved his personal best of 14min 49.87sec at the Podium 5K in Leicester, England, last month, understands the daunting task of running such a distance on the track alone.

“In my experience, running a 5K solo around the track can be really challenging,” the 19-year-old said.

“It’s a lot of laps so it’s hard to stay focused mentally and keep pace consistent, especially if conditions are tough. When I qualified for Carifta in 2023, I had a pacer from my club in the UK which was a huge help.

“Since Jake has come close to the standard before, I think my help pacing could be enough to get him there.”

The presence of Oliver Hayward, who has already met the Carifta standard, will further serve as extra motivation for Smith.

“Ollie is a great athlete,” Smith added. “The more competition, the better for me.”

Besides Smith, other athletes with a chance to trying to qualify are, Surii Russell (400 and 800), Gianluca Bortoli (3,000), Kelise Wade (400 and 800), Jaeda Grant (1,500), Kyah Richardson (100), Nasir Johnson (800), Roman Jones (100), Preston Ephraim (100 and 200), Carina Bortoli (3000), Anthony “AJ” Harkness (5,000), and Devonte Howell (shot put).

Miles Outerbridge (100, 200 4x100), Denver Tucker (100, 200 4x100), Norre Robinson (100, 200 4x100), Sanchez Smith (3,000), Cameron Adkins (1,500 and 3,000), Zydon Lightbourne Furbert, (200 and 400), Hayward (5,000), Amaris Munya (400 and 800), Tatiana Sousa (javelin), Rhianna Robinson (1,500), Lashee Jones (100 and 200), Amara Samuels (100 and 200), have already hit the qualifying standard.

Freddie Evans, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, believes more athletes will take final qualification chance, before the team is announced.

“As we head into the Last Chance Meet on Saturday, the final chance for Carifta qualification, I’d like to highlight a group of athletes who haven’t been endorsed up to this point,” Evans said.

“This has mostly been due to things like injuries, illness, school responsibilities, or missing previous competitions. That said, they still have a real shot at qualifying.

“After the meet on Saturday, the board will meet to confirm and finalise the team for Carifta.”