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‘This Is My Race’ – Adaejah Hodge Breaks Meet Record With 22.64 Second Finish
At the starting line on Sunday, June 18, Adaejah Hodge looked at her fellow athletes waiting for the gun to fire and thought: “This is my race.”
And the British Virgin Islands track star showed her power on the track winning the Girls’ Championships 200-meter title at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the United States capturing a meet record with a time of 22.6 4 seconds.
Her main rival Shawnti Jackson false started and was removed from the race.
“I just remembered, like, to stay focused. I was looking forward to that rematch, looking forward to that race. But I just remember I had to stay focused and run my race,” Hodge recalled during an interview after her incredible win.
When the gun was fired. Her game plan kicked in – run your own race.
“I think I did good switching to the front like my code says I’m staying low a little bit. I popped out a little bit like I can see my head right now. But that’s just anxiousness, but like I see I just transition very well. And now I’m just like, stepping into the curve. Put my feet down my shoulders. Stay active and not floating.”
The Montverde Academy athlete was one of the favorites to win the title – she entered the competition after running a recent personal best of 22.60 seconds in Florida.
More than 7,000 athletes from across the United States competed in the event.
She enjoys competing at new balance indoor and outdoor meets.
“This is like my favourite track meet – new balance indoor nationals and outdoor. They really think about the athletes. They really try to make us feel like we’re professional athletes and I really love that,” Hodge shared.
Hodge will represent the British Virgin Islands at the August World Championships in Budapest.