Handal Roban wins in stunning record at the NACAC
The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) organize championships every two years, and this year these were held in Freeport (Bahamas). The elite runners do not often participate there, but this year Brandon Miller, having missed out qualification for the World Championships, was ready to give it a shot.
Miller had what looked like an infallible strategy. He knew he can run a low 1:43, even when leading the race from start to finish. And he also knew that none of his rivals had even run close to 1:44. Navasky Anderson for instance, had run 1:44.40 earlier this year, Handal Roban 1:44.39 and Tyrice Taylor had not even broken 1:45. And so Miller took the lead, set a scorcing pace, and although Anderson was not too far off, Roban and Taylor were already further behind.
But strange things happen on the 800 meter over the last two years. Records tumble left, right and centre. And on the final straight, while Anderson was faltering, Roban found something extra and then some. Miller finished in 1:43.15, just 0.01 off his PB. Everything just as planned. But Roban stormed past and finished in a stunning 1:42.87, a big, big national record for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Behind these two Tyrice Taylor finshed third in a new national record as well.
Said Roban after the race: You know, I only came here to have some fun.... Well, that worked out. On the all time list he has risen spectacularly from position 265 all the way up to number 49!
Result: 1 Handal Roban VIN 1:42.87 2 Brandon Miller USA 1:43.15 3 Tyrice Taylor JAM 1:43.74 4 Navasky Anderson JAM 1:44.18 5 Abdullahi Hassan CAN 1:44.25 6 Matti Erickson CAN 1:46.80 7 John Rivera PUR 1:47.11 8 Nicholas Landeau TTO 1:47.84
