by R J Michaels

Grenada’s senior quarter-milers came within striking distance of athletic history at the second edition of the Barbados Grand Prix on Saturday, 4 July 2026, delivering a fierce, second-place finish in the Men’s 4×400-metre relay at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

The national quartet of Shaquane Toussaint, Joshem Sylvester, Devonni Ferguson, and Michael Francois combined to clock an impressive 3:05.77. They narrowly missed out on the top spot to host nation Team Barbados, who stopped the clock at a razor-thin 3:05.64.

The performance marked a major redemption arc for Grenada’s long-sprint relay programme. While Grenada’s short-sprinters broke the national record at the inaugural event in 2025, the 4x400m team suffered a heartbreaking disqualification at that same meet. One year later, the group cleanly executed their handoffs and severely threatened a long-standing national milestone. The standing Grenadian senior national record of 3:04.27 has remained untouched for 15 years, established in 2011 by the legendary lineup of Kirani James, Rondell Bartholomew, Joel Redhead, and Junior Charles.

“The boys did very well,” reflected Head Coach and Team Manager Wayne McSween following the race. “I was really hoping for the national record this time around, but it didn’t happen. Hopefully soon.”

The meet also featured a unique team-based exhibition format in which select regional athletes competed under local franchise banners. Three of Grenada’s elite competitors were specifically invited by meet organisers to bolster these rosters.

With the 4x400m relay squad demonstrating consistent progress, shaving nearly a full second off their May Whitsuntide Games time of 3:06.56, and the senior sprinters building vital momentum into the peak of the summer calendar, local coaches remain highly optimistic that the 2011 national record’s days are numbered.