By Christopher Hunt
It’s been five years since former Manhattan College star Aliann Pompey raced during the indoor season. But since she decided to race this winter season, she hasn’t wasted any time in making it count.
Pompey broke her own Guyanese national record in the indoor 400 meters Saturday, winning at the New Balance Games in 51.85 seconds, topping her own record of 52.17, set in 2003. Her time is the fastest mark in the world this year.
“I felt like I could (run a personal best) today,” she said. “I haven’t run indoor in five years. I was wondering if I could do that.”
Pompey certainly didn’t leave much doubt. She enjoyed a 30-meter lead 150 meters into the race and showed little sign of fatigue the entire way. The 30 year-old three-time Olympian is still seeking a sponsor but part of her decision to run the indoor season came from how well she’s been training.
Pompey will compete in the 600 yards Friday at the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden. She still trains at Manhattan College with sprint coach Joe Ryan. Pompey won the 500 meters at the Gotham Cup two weeks ago in 1:09.37.
“That really gave me confidence that I’d be able to hold on today,” she said.
American Rob Myers won a comeback victory in the men’s mile, finishing in 3:59.92, the 39th sub-four minute mile at the New Balance Track and Field Center. Adrian Blincoe of New Zealand followed his countryman, Max Smith through the first 1,000 meters then held a 25-meter lead for another lap before he began to fall off pace as the rest of the field closed in.
“I’m pretty confident in my kicking abilities,” Myers said. “I’m pretty aware of what’s going on. I was pretty sure that they’d come back to me. So I just kept reeling them in.”
Myers squeezed by off the last curve for the win. Neil Speight of Great Britain finished second in 4:00.31 and Blincoe third in 4:00.33. Myers recently moved to Michigan and is now training with coach Ron Warhurst. He said the change in his style of training is helping him stay stronger mentally and the result was an early season sub-four minute mile.
“It shows I’m in pretty good shape right now,” he said.
Record breaker: On Friday, Tyron Benjamin of Morgan State University broke his home country Dominica’s national record while placing second in the shot put in 57 feet, 9.5 inches Friday at the Great Dane Classic.
Reach Christopher Hunt at chunt@armorytrack.com.