Delloreen Ennis-London in full flight. - File

WHEN the National Senior Championships gets under way this weekend, one event which will attract a lot of attention will be the women's 100 metres hurdles.

Four veterans who have served the country well - Delloreen Ennis-London, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Vonette Dixon and Lacena Golding-Clarke will be vying for the top-three spots and in the process send a strong message to their younger challengers that they are not ready to hang up their spikes.

season best

Following her recent showing at the Ostrava Golden League meet where she clocked a season-best 12.79 seconds, Ennis-London who finished second behind Foster-Hylton last year is very confident going into the meet.

"At the Jamaica International Invitational in May, I did not finish my race because I was hurt and many people did not know that," she said.

Ennis-London stated that at the meet she strained her hamstring and she had to take a break where she had laser and acupuncture treatment.

London showed at the Ostrava meet that she was getting back to some good form following her season-best performance.

"Leading up to the three meets in Europe, I did no speed work as I was working on my strength. I only put on spikes a week before I went to those meets. I knew going to Europe I was behind in my speed work and in the three races I ran, it took me some time to pick up and at the Berlin meet I clipped the eighth hurdle which slowed me down," said Ennis-London.

major goal

"My aim for the National Championships is to finish in the top two and then take it from there as my major goal is on the World Championships and this is where I am putting all the work into as I am using the National Championships and the meets leading up to it as a training platform."

The veteran athlete stated that in the days leading up to the national trials, she will spend some time working on her speed as she will not be arriving in Jamaica early.

"Normally, I will be in the island very early but because I am behind in my training, I will not come there until Friday as I won't be running until Sunday," she continued.

The Beijing 100m hurdles finalist is hoping for better things this year.

"I know that the trials will be very important as we have four or five ladies who will be very competitive. Although I am being very cautious, I am also confident and with the help of God I am hoping to make the team as I am expecting to do very well in Berlin," she added.