How the mixed-gender 2x2x400m could play out
There's a new event at the IAAF World Relays that's going to shake things up
The upcoming World Relay Championship will see a new relay event added to the program. The event will take place in Yokohama, Japan on May 11-12, 2019 and host the event’s first-ever 2x2x400m relay. We know this event sounds like a math problem, but it’s actually really cool. Here’s how it breaks down.
This event is a mixed-gender event that will see runners run 400 metres twice. The event will see each runner run one leg, sit one out, and run again. This sounds like the hardest 400 metre workout ever, and also an event that could bring in any runner from the 400m through the mile. The event allows teams to chose the gender that leads off, and is replacing the 4x800m.
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Because runners have to deal with recovery, more than their personal best has to be considered when picking the ideal candidate. At first glance, a 400m runner seems like the ideal runner for the job, but this race is much more than running your PB twice in a row. Here are some Canadian combinations we’d be interested to see play out.
Melissa Bishop and Brandon McBride
This is probably the most obvious choice, but nevertheless a good one. The two Canadian record-holders are both 800m specialists and would probably crush this event together.
Sage Watson and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot
Watson is a 400m hurdler, which is a fast event, but slightly more aerobic than the flat 400m. A hurdler could be a good choice for this event because they’d have the speed of a 400m runner, with potentially better recovery time. Putting a 1,500m runner in the mix would likely mean a relatively slower first lap, but the sub-60-second rest would play into their hand and could lead to a much stronger second go-around. Side note: so much long blonde hair on one team.
Jenna Westaway and Corey Bellemore
Westaway and Bellemore are both strong 600m runners. Their speed combined with their versatility (both can run anything from the 400m through the 1,500m and do it well) makes them a dark horse pick.
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