An outstanding performance by Jernail Hayes in the women’s 400-metre hurdles highlighted the Lafarge International Track Classic, held last Wednesday at Swan Track in Rotary Stadium.
Hayes, who represents the United States, simply ran away from the field and turned in the excellent time of 56.67 to easily outpace fellow American Wendy Fawn (59.71).
Kyle Clemons (USA) turned in a solid performance to win the men’s 400m in 46.51, with Quentin Summers (USA) second in 47.36.
The tightest race of the evening was the men’s 800m, which saw less then a half second separating the first three runners. Luke Pawlaczyk had a good finishing kick to win the race in 1:48.43 with fellow American Duncan Phillips second (1:48.65) and Kenya’s Silas Kisorio third (1:48.86).
In the men’s 100m, the runners had to battle a stiff head wind but the first three finishers all managed to run under 11 seconds. The race was won by Reginald Dixon (USA) in 10.65 seconds, with countrymen Jerome Avery second (10.78) and Trice Lawrence third (10.97).
Other solid performances saw Allison Beckford (USA) win the women’s 400m (54.25), Sirena Williams (USA) first in the women’s 100m hurdles (13.97), and Amanda Mergaert (USA) tops in the women’s 800m (2:08.91).
The Lafarge meet is hosted annually by Abbotsford's Valley Royals track and field club.