Despite it being the first time that Hill has contested this event, the 14-year-old came through to win the race, held as a straight final. The Beaulieu student came from behind to triumph in 1.10.42 min just five tenths faster than second place while the athlete in third clocked 1.11.04 min in a tense finish with many in contention for the top spot.
A shocked, but delighted, Hill said: ‘I was worried I was going to be humiliated and finish really far back because I have never done this event so I’m really surprised to win but it feels amazing. I thought I was going to run out of steam and only thought I could catch them on the line but I did and I guess I will continue doing the 400 hurdles now.’
For Stanley Livingston another photo finish put him on the second tier of the podium by the finest of margins in his 400m hurdles, as he finished a few tenths behind the winner’s 56.46 sec. Now a double silver medallist the 14-year-old said: ‘I should have kept to my stride instead of trying to race the guy in front but it’s only the second time I’ve run this event so although it was a PB I know I can go faster.’
