Quarter-miler McDonald savours season-best 44.03
NATIONAL record holder Rusheen McDonald was overcome with “joy” after his season-best 44.03 seconds run in the men’s 400m during the Istvan Gyulai Memorial at Bregyó Athletic Centerin Szekesfehervar, Hungary, on Tuesday.
McDonald was second in the race behind Steven Gardiner’s world-leading 43.74 seconds, moving the Jamaican to third on the World Athletics ranking list.
It was his second-fastest time ever, after his national record 43.93 seconds set in the first round of the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, in 2015.
“Words can’t express the feelings of joy I am having now [after] years of reminding myself I am not the ‘garbage heap’, as they express openly of me,” McDonald posted on his social media page.
He also had words for those who did not believe in him as well.
“Doubters, you are so many. Whole heartedly, thank you for giving me that push when I was on the verge of walking away,” he wrote. “My 2nd-fastest time in the 400m wouldn’t be possible [without] the Almighty, family support, and yes, the MVP camp. The 43.93 was [a] fluke they said, right? The work goes on. HUMBLENESS.”
The former Garvey Maceo runner had a major setback in early 2016 when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused serious back injuries and threatened his career.
McDonald had only contested the first round of the recent JAAA National Championships, clocking 45.56 seconds, the second-fastest overall behind eventual winner Sean Bailey, but did not show up for the semi-finals.
In his next race, at the Meeting Sport e Solidarieta Lignano, Stadio G. Teghil, Lignano Sabbiadoro on Saturday, he ran a then season’s best 44.83 seconds for second place.
