Machine-translated from Faroese and not yet reviewed. Read the original.
Just 12 hours after the 800 m final last night, Rúni Seloy was back on the start line. This time he was down in the blocks in the second heat of the 400 m, where the top two plus the two fastest losers would go through to the final tomorrow evening. A few weeks ago Rúni was not expected to have a chance of making the final, but after his strong personal best of 51.45 sec. at VU-Spelen there was at least a slim chance of a place in the final.
12 hours of rest, then Rúni was back down in the blocks.
But after the first heat, hopes faded again. It was a very strong heat, in which the fourth-placed runner clocked 50.58 sec. That most likely meant Rúni would have to finish first or second in his heat to go through to the final.
And then they’re off, chasing a top-two spot and a place in the final.
And that is exactly what happened. Once again today Rúni had been lucky in the draw and had ended up in the weakest heat. He made the most of it. He was a little way back over the first 200 metres, but on the bend he switched on the turbo, came off the curve well in second place and was still carrying good speed. Although his rivals tried hard to take the final spot from Rúni, he comfortably managed to keep them safely behind him. And wouldn’t you know it, the time was good enough for yet another personal best over 400 m. The time was 51.29 – 1.01 sec. off the Faroese record.
Second, and safely into the final.
The final will be run tomorrow evening. The chances of a medal have to be admitted to be very slim. But perhaps Rúni can shave a few more 1/100 sec. off his PB – if he manages that, it must be said that these will have been a perfect Island Games for Rúni.
Job well done!
