EUGENE: Allyson Felix’s dalliance with the 400 metres has led to a dilemma of whether she will run the event at worlds or hand off the spot to a team-mate. That decision could take days, maybe even weeks, to reach.

Felix needed just 50.19 seconds — along with a powerful kick and a lean at the finish — to edge Natasha Hastings on a scorching Saturday at the US trials for the world championships. Hastings took second 50.25 and Phyllis Francis third in 50.67.

The schedule at worlds is just too tight for Felix to consider racing the 400 along with the 200, which is her signature event and one she doesn’t have to run at nationals because she already has an automatic bye in the event to Beijing later this summer.

Hanging in the balance is Francena McCorory, who had the fastest time in the world heading into the race, but struggled around the track and finished fourth. The top three qualify. Should Felix not run the 400 at worlds, McCorory would likely take her place.

“I would hope to get a decision pretty quickly, just to let the next person know,” Felix said.

This was a difficult event to earn a spot, so much so that Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross didn’t even qualify for the final. Felix was behind most of the way Saturday before turning it on with the finish line in sight.

“I just buckled down and went for it,” Felix explained.

The men’s 400m went to David Verburg, who clocked 43.63 to edge reigning world camp LaShawn Merritt (43.66). Thanks to Merritt’s bye, Vernon Norwood and Bryshon Nellum also punched their tickets to Beijing with their third- and fourth-place finishes.

Veteran Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 silver medallist, won the 100m hurdles in 12.55sec, ahead of Keni Harrison (12.56) and Sharika Nelvis (12.59). The top trio will be joined in Beijing by reigning world champion Brianna Rollins, who sat out of the final.

Former world champion Tianna Bartoletta added another season’s best in the women’s long jump, leaping 7.12 metres to outdistance Olympic champion Brittney Reese (6.97m).

In a battle of training partners, Bershawn Jackson beat Johnny Dutch for the 400m hurdles win in 48.29. Third went to Kerron Clement, like Jackson a former world champion. The three will be joined by 2014 Diamond League winner Michael Tinsley in the event in Beijing.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2015

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