Young runner cruises past national record

Rhian Douglas is quick, really quick.

At 14 years old, he has recently broken his age grade record for the 400m while simultaneously knocking almost two seconds off his personal best.

The 49.18 run at Saxton track blitzed the previous record holder’s 49.58 set over 20 years ago and has set the young runner-up in a perfect place to capitalise on a busy upcoming season.

Adding to his recent New Zealand record, Rhian also recently brought up his 200m personal best with an impressive 22.31.

The young sprinter says the 400m is his preferred race, but he had surprised himself with how fast he had run.

“It didn’t feel amazing to be honest, but the time was great. The four (hundred) never feels great.

“I didn’t expect it, I was thinking I’d maybe be in the low 51s.”

Having only taken up the sport two years ago, it’s been a rapid rise for the young sprinter.

He says it was a teacher at school, Mrs Leslie, who encouraged him to give it a go.

“I knew I was quick, but I didn’t know I was that quick.”

While he’s not sure he could recreate his record-breaking 400m run, Rhian has been hard at work in the off-season continuing to refine his craft.

With no other sports as distractions in the winter, he says he did “a lot more training” with resistance bands and strength training.

He’s happy to put in the work, and not just because of the results.

“It would be really cool if I got a scholarship, but I’d still do it if I didn’t.”

With nationals at the start of December, Rhian says that’s where his focus lies in the upcoming weeks.

“That’s what I’m basing my goals off of.

“For my four (hundred), I’ve got my goal for that. . . it’s just getting PBs, really.”

And while he might be the only one running the race, as always there’s a large contingent of supporters and believers helping to push him over the finish line.

Alongside his parents, Rhian wanted to thank Tony Aikenhead for his ongoing support and coaching, saying “he knows everything”, as well as his friends on the track.