A guide to relay action in Yokohama, including some ones to watch, race schedule and TV info

The fourth edition of the IAAF World Relays, being staged away from The Bahamas for the first time, is set to be the largest ever with 790 athletes from 47 teams entered, writes Paul Halford.

The presence of several big names such as Noah Lyles, Andre De Grasse and Elaine Thompson suggests many nations are treating this event as an important stepping stone towards the World Championships in Doha.

Here we highlight some ones to watch. For our full preview, see the May 9 edition of AW magazine.

Timetable

UK time (local time in brackets)

Saturday May 11

10:38 (18:38) – Mixed shuttle hurdles heats
11:05 (19:05) – Women’s 4x400m heats
11:40 (19:40) – Men’s 4x400m heats
12:13 (20:13) – Women’s 4x100m heats
12:40 (20:40) – Mixed 2x2x400m final
13:00 (21:00) – Men’s 4x100m heats
13:22 (21:22) – Mixed 4x400m heats
13:55 (21:55) – Mixed shuttle hurdles final

Sunday May 12

10:10 (18:10) – Women’s 4x200m heats
10:31 (18:31) – Men’s 4x200m heats
10:52 (18:52) – Women’s 4x400m B final
11:05 (19:05) – Men’s 4x400m B final
11:21 (19:21) – Women’s 4x400m final
11:37 (19:37) – Men’s 4x400m final
11:53 (19:53) – Mixed 4x400m final
12:09 (20:09) – Women’s 4x200m final
12:23 (20:23) – Men’s 4x200m final
12:37 (20:37) – Women’s 4x100m final
12:52 (20:52) – Men’s 4x100m final

Photo by Stuart Weir

Ones to watch

Men’s 4x100m

World champions Britain take on Rio 2016 winners Jamaica and the other big contenders, the USA.

In CJ Ujah, Adam Gemili and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Britain have three of the quartet that won global gold in 2017 and that topped the world rankings last year.

The USA team includes Diamond League champion Noah Lyles and Mike Rodgers and the Jamaica squad features Yohan Blake.

Japan’s well-drilled foursome should also challenge. Canada has Olympic 200m silver medallist Andre De Grasse.

Women’s 4x200m

With double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and current double Rio 2016 champion Elaine Thompson, Jamaica will be defending their title, challenged by Germany and the USA, who were second and third last time out.

Women’s 4x400m

The USA will start as the strong favourites, headed by 49.52 runner Shakima Wimbley.

In the shape of Zoey Clark, Emily Diamond and Laviai Nielsen, Britain’s squad includes three of their 2017 world silver medallists. Their team-mate Eilidh Doyle is out through injury and replaced by Perri Shakes-Drayton, who ran in the London 2017 heats.

European champions Poland and Jamaica ought to be strong too.

Shuttle hurdles

Just seven teams go in this new four-leg mixed event, run in a woman-man-woman-man formation.

The USA are favourites, featuring Devon Allen, with Queen Harrison, Sharika Nelvis and Christina Manning to choose from among the women.

European champion Pascal Martinot-Lagarde goes for France.

Full entry info can be found here.

GB team for Yokohama

Men

4x100m: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Adam Gemili, Sam Gordon, Richard Kilty, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, CJ Ujah
4x400m: Cameron Chalmers, Dwayne Cowan, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Martyn Rooney, Jamal Rhoden-Stevens, Lee Thompson, Rabah Yousif

Women

4x100m: Kristal Awuah, Desiree Henry, Daryll Neita, Ashleigh Nelson, Asha Philip, Bianca Williams
4x400m: Finette Agyapong, Amy Allcock, Zoey Clark, Emily Diamond, Laviai Nielsen, Anyika Onuora, Perri Shakes-Drayton

Mixed

4x400m: Cameron Chalmers, Zoe Clark, Laviai Nielsen, Martyn Rooney,Perri Shakes-Drayton, Rabah Yousif

GB will not field teams in the 4x200m, shuttle hurdles or 2x2x400m relays.

TV guide

Fans in the UK can watch the action live on the BBC red button and online on May 11 (10:30 to 14:00) and May 12 (10:00 to 13:00) with highlights on BBC Two on May 12 (17:00-18:00).

A list of other broadcasters for coverage around the world can be found here.

» See the May 9 issue of AW magazine for our full preview

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