Ameal Thomas completes 5,000m and 1,500m double at JAAA national championships

Ameal Thomas of GC Foster College claimed the men’s 1,500 metres title at the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships on Day 2, finishing in 4:13.69 to complete a senior double after winning the 5,000m the previous day.

Six athletes lined up for the final: Lamar Rio Wright of Racers Track Club, Andrew Powell and Winston Dehane of Pure Love Running, Dejour Lewis of Racers Track Club, Thomas, and Aldain Brown of Bethlehem Moravian College. The national record of 3:39.20, set by Steve Green in 1994, stood well beyond reach on a day when the wind was heavy along the home straight.

Thomas, Brown and Lewis moved to the front early, with Thomas setting the early pace while Lewis, formerly of Calabar, stayed in contention. The field remained tightly grouped through the middle stages, though contact between Lewis and Thomas drew attention before Brown began to push the race with Thomas.

With under two laps remaining, Thomas and Brown traded the lead while Wright held third alone. Lewis dropped back as the contest narrowed to the front pair and the Racers athlete in pursuit. Thomas regained control inside the final 400 metres and accelerated off the top bend, pulling clear of Brown and Wright in the closing stages.

Wright finished second as Thomas crossed the line and celebrated with a Mo Farah-style routine, urging on the crowd, paying little attention to the clock, and kissing the track in tribute to the British great’s signature finish.

Commentary ahead of the men’s race also reflected on Adelle Tracey, who turned 33 in May and holds the women’s national 1,500m record of 3:58.77 from the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with observers noting she may yet return in either the 800m or 1,500m at the national meet.