Johnny Dutch was 16 years old when Bershawn Jackson set the Prefontaine Classic record in the 400-meter hurdles in 2005.
Ten years later, the two are now training and competing together.
Saturday’s finish to the 400-meter hurdle race was an example of their training. In a photo finish, Dutch out-leaned Jackson to finish in 48.20; Jackson’s official second-place time was 48.22.
“Oh man, it’s so intense,” said Dutch on working with Jackson. “It actually makes racing easier.”
“There’s no animosity — we’re at it to help each other,” said Jackson. “It’s a great situation.”
At 32 years old, six years Dutch’s senior, Jackson has faced injuries ranging from hamstring pulls to groin strains that have limited his ability to compete in the past four years. But after a first-place finish in Doha earlier this month and the results at the Pre, Jackson is confident in his future on the track.
“As long as my legs are moving well, I’m training at a high intensity, and I’m competing,” Jackson said. “Who knows how many years I might be running. I might be like Bernard Lagat.”
