Alfred tops Jackson in 300m showdown at Miramar Invitational

MIRAMAR, Florida (CMC):

While the 300 metres is seldom the headline event at a track meet, the electrifying showdown between Julien Alfred and Shericka Jackson at the Miramar Invitational here in Broward County, Florida, came down to a nail-biting battle.

In the end, Alfred held off a late charge from Jackson to claim victory in the women’s three-quarter-lap race.

Competing in what was likely her final over-distance race of the season, Alfred blazed to a 36.05 seconds finish, smashing her own St Lucian national record and climbing to 28th on the all-time list.

The reigning Olympic 100m gold medallist had previously clocked 36.16 indoors in February, but this time, she faced a stiffer challenge from the Jamaican Jackson, the world’s premier 200m sprinter, who was returning from an injury.

Drawn in Lane 4 with Jackson beside her in Lane 3, Alfred exploded from the blocks and quickly reeled in Cote D’Ivoire’s Jessika Gbai by the 50m mark.

Jackson, a seasoned 400m runner, steadily closed the gap, pulling level with Alfred, the Paris 2024 200m silver medallist, as they rounded the bend.

But in a display of sheer determination, the younger star found another gear in the home stretch, surging ahead to seal the win.

Jackson crossed the line in 36.13 for second, while Gbai finished third in 36.24. Barbados’ Sada Williams clocked 36.49 for fourth.