British middle-distance runner Max Burgin, who turns 19 on Thursday, highlighted his capabilities by destroying a top-quality field in the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, last night to produce a new European U20 record and World Lead.
The teenager, who is backed by the British Athletics Futures Academy Programme led his way to victory in the men’s 800m, crossing the line in a staggering time of 1:44.14 to improve his previous best of 1:44.75 set last summer.
Max Burgin celebrates after achieving the Olympic qualifying standard. (Picture by Michal Čížek/AFP/Getty Images)
Burgin’s time of 1:44.14sec was faster than both Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett at the same age, yet the way he tore the field apart, leading from start to finish, was possibly just as majestic. It proves to be a huge statement especially with the Tokyo Olympics just nine weeks away.
Deciding to go with the pacemaker in the early stages and fastening himself to the quick pace, it saw Burgin go through in an impressive time of 50.20sec at the bell, the only athlete in the field to do so.
As Burgin showed grit and determination and no sign of slowing down, it saw the margin lengthen from the rest of the field. However, even he seemed shocked when he looked around on the final straight and saw his opponents so far behind.
“It was brilliant,” Burgin said afterwards. “I knew I wanted to run a fast time. The pacemaker helped me a lot. I kept pushing and pushing.”
“I saw the race of my good friend Keely Hodgkinson, who ran just before me. She can be so fast and I thought I just had to match it at least. So, I did treat myself for tomorrow’s birthday.”
In the same race British team-mate Jake Wightman opened his season with a solid time of 1:45.47 coming in third place.
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