Bermuda’s middle-distance prospects Nirobi Smith-Mills and Jake Brislane delivered a pair of highly encouraging performances to secure top-six finishes at the prestigious British Milers Club Grand Prix in Watford.
Battling tricky, windy conditions at Woodside Stadium, both athletes made significant statements against elite international fields during their European summer campaigns.
In the Men’s 800m ‘C’ race, Nottingham Trent University student Nirobi Smith-Mills claimed a hard-earned third place on the podium. Smith-Mills expertly negotiated a dense pack, digging deep over the final 200 metres to clock 1:49.09—just missing out on second to Ireland’s Bobby More (1:48.98), while England’s Harry Forman Wilshaw took the win in 1:48.51.
Stepping up in distance, Warwick University’s Jake Brislane produced an incredibly disciplined display in a cagey Men’s 3000m showcase. Contending with strong headwinds along the back straight, Brislane stuck with a fast lead pack to cross the line in 8:16.00, sealing a strong sixth place overall in a race won by local favourite James McMurray (7:53.48).
The impressive showings mark another excellent step forward for both young Bermudians as they continue to test themselves against top-tier continental competition.
