Friday night in Victoria, 800m runner Melissa Bishop did something she’s done four times before – break the club record. Bishop culminated her National Track League schedule with her third victory in three attempts, crossing the line in a club record 1:59.76. With the victory, Melissa also claimed the overall NTL 800m title, out duelling fellow World Championship Team member Karine Belleau-Béliveau 40 points to 36.
Bishop, who has been quickly finding her stride since early June, believes she has more left in the tank. “This track has always produced fast times, and they always get a good crowd out here,” Bishop said. “This [her time Friday] is huge. And I think I’ve got more in me.” She will get her chance in the coming weeks as she heads to Europe for a race or two before making her way to the Canadian pre-worlds camp in Kamen, Germany.
Also in Victoria, hammer thrower Sultana Frizell made it two in a row, winning her second NTL event in five days with a meet record throw of 68.89m. With the victory, Frizell secured her first NTL title after three attempts and with it, the $4500 in championship prize money. Rounding out the Lion contingent was hurdler Ashlea Maddex who finished 4th in Victoria with a time of 13.66 seconds.
Also in action Friday night was a small group of middle distance runners who headed down the 401 to compete in the London Distance Series 1500m Night. It proved to be a successful evening on the track with four runners hitting personal best times, highlighted by Mohamed Souleiman’s 3:45.66 clocking for second place overall. On the women’s side, Alana Shearman took more than four seconds off her previous best running across the line in 4:45.28.
