Story by Ryan Lim/Red Sports. Photos by Les Tan and Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports.
Brandon Norton (#103, SSP) won gold in a time of 4:45.40. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Bishan Stadium, Monday, April 25, 2016 — Brandon Norton of Singapore Sports School completed the 1500 metres in a new personal best of 4 minutes 45.40 seconds to clinch the C Division gold medal at the 57th National Schools Track and Field Championships.
The electronically-timed record for the event continues to stand at 04:21.37s, set in 1997 by Victoria School alumnus Kannan Poobalan.
Ethan Tan (#446, HCI) was second in 4:47.56 while Joshua Loo (#153, ACS(I)) was third in 4:48.13.
Three days prior to this race, Brandon had won the C Division 800m, finishing in 2:11.43s.
Brandon had finished fourth in last year’s 1500m event in his previous personal best of 4:47.13. He managed to shave almost two seconds off his PB to finish first this year.
The winning time for the 2015 C Division 1500m was 4:41.46s, and 4:35.67s in 2014.
The race began with Joshua Loo of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) taking the lead, alongside Nur Muhammad of Victoria School and Ethan Tan of Hwa Chong Institution. Brandon followed closely behind the leading pack.
Going into the second lap, Joshua established a slight gap between himself and the rest of the runners. However, he was overtaken by Ethan as the athletes neared the third lap. Ethan extended his lead with 300m to go.
At the 1300m mark, Brandon took advantage of Ethan’s fatigue and sprinted past him for a strong first-place finish.
Brandon said, “This was definitely a lot better than my 800m race. I did put up a good fight, but if it weren’t for my competitors I would not have gotten first. They were the ones that really pushed me during the race. I am proud of my performance and I am very happy with my friends too.”
On race strategy, he added, “Stay in the front pack and maybe in the last lap, give my best and hopefully come out on top.
When quizzed on his goals, he said “For now, keep clocking the PBs and soon progress to the medals.”
Brandon will be taking part in the 4x400m relay on the final day of the Championship.
C Div 1500m (Boys) Results
1st Brandon Norton (#103, SSP) — 04:45.40
2nd Tan Hong Han Ethan (#446, HCI) — 04:47.56
3rd Joshua Loo Jing Yang (#153, ACS(I)) — 04:48.13
4th Brandon Sathe Thas (#457, JSS) — 04:49.13
5th Nur Muhammad S/O Mohammad (#380, VS) — 04:51.10
6th Joshua Rajendran (#432, HCI) — 04:51.20
7th Yeo Ke-Gan (#79, MSH) — 04:53.97
8th Yeo Zhi Yan (#453, HCI) — 04:57.61
9th Tan Gene, Travis (#227, RI) — 04:58.82
10th Sean Tay Wei Teck (#225, RI) — 05:01.14
11th Christoffer Eilertsen (#202, RI) — 05:02.43
12th Lim Kai Wei (#405, CSS) — 05:04.28
13th Aravinthan S/O Ilangoh (#309, DMN) — 05:04.68
14th Chua Jun Yu (#34, CH) — 05:07.31
15th Reuben Lui Tye Herng (#382, VS) — 05:08.95
16th James Chin Dow Ching (#70, MSH) — 05:18.71
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