The Harry Jerome Classic concluded on Thursday with an elite mile that saw four men break 4, among them Nate Brannen and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot. Brannen took the title in 3:57, narrowly escaping fellow Canadian Philibert-Thiboutot. While Brannen was unable to dip under 3:56 and collect the $4000 bonus, his final time was still impressive considering his 3:02 split at 1200m. The top-4 finishers all showed good closing speed, including Chris Derrick, who was running the 1500/mile for the first time in over a year. Colby Alexander was excited to see himself closing well, and was ultimately rewarded with his first sub-4. Here are some observations from the conclusion of FloCanada.

 

Nate Brannen and the Commonwealth Games

 

While it was no miracle to see Nate Brannen winning the Miracle Mile in Vancouver, the 31-year old was still impressive, gathering himself to close in 54-55 seconds, and get past the up and coming Charles P-T. His final time did not warrant the bonus prize he coveted, but the two-time Olympian was pleased with his performance and spoke about the Canadian Selection committee that left him off this month’s Commonwealth Games roster. “I knew the standard. I ran 3:35 in May, and I wasn’t about to chase that (again). Apparently they wanted me to be peaked in May.” Brannen was referring to the brief window that Canada allotted for qualifying times, and his displeasure with them wanting him in top form so early in the season.

When a two-time Olympian and current national champion is left off of a team, something is wrong with your selection process. Shame on you, Canada.

 

Chris Derrick

 

Chris Derrick has heard the joke before: aerobic monster, but no speed. Derrick came to Vancouver to prepare for his European schedule later this summer, but also to work on the speed that he has lacked over the final 400-600m in recent races. On Thursday, Chris seemed out of it with a lap to go, but was able to gather himself and pass all but two en route to a 3:59.52.

Afterwards, Derrick was pleased, and we asked him to talk about teammate Dan Huling’s tweet, calling him slow and wanting this writer to lose his job at Flotrack for even mentioning Derrick as a favorite in the race. “No, no, Dan’s right, I am slow. But you know what, Dan? I have heart, and that counts for something in this world.”

You’re right, Chris. All jokes aside, you were all heart out there, but you also showed a little dose of speed. That bodes well for the 5/10k later this year.

 

Colby Alexander

 

The Oregon Duck and senior-to-be finally broke 4 and he couldn’t have been more pleased. After struggling throughout his career with injuries and setbacks, Alexander put it all together in Vancouver and found himself next to Chris Derrick at the end, kicking for a spot in track and field’s most prestigious club. “With 200 to go I kept hearing ‘Chris Derrick is in 5th, he’s in 4th’ and I’m kicking Chris Derrick down, so I’m going to get right by him at least."

Alexander ultimately settled for 4th, right behind Derrick in 3:59.69, but with another year left in the NCAAs, Colby will look to use Harry Jerome as a springboard into better things next season.

 

AJ Acosta

 

We didn’t catch a word with AJ after his race, but props to him for running 4-flat after falling early in the race. The fall happened about 500m in, and it left Acosta way off the back of the pack for the majority of the race. Of course his final time was disappointing, but AJ showed resolve by fighting to catch up the rest of the way. Without his tumble, maybe that title could have been his instead of Brannen’s.