By Brett Taylor
Lindsey Butterworth stayed right behind the pace setter through the first lap of the 800-meter high performance race Sunday at the Portland Track Festival. And once the rabbit was gone, Butterworth took control, made her move and ultimately won in 2 minutes, 2.27 seconds.
“The plan was to go with the rabbit and then just try to compete for the win,” said Butterworth, a Canadian racing for New Balance. “I was trying not to focus too much on time, although I did not want to run 2:02 again this year,” she added, laughing.
This year, Butterworth worth has won four out of the five races that she has competed in, and has finished in the top three in all five races. She has also finished four of those races at a time of 2:02.
Butterworth, who is currently ranked as the 39th fastest woman in the 800, is no stranger to competing at a high level. A little under a year ago, she ran a personal best at the NACAC Championships in Toronto, 2:00.81 in the 800 meters. Butterworth was .82 seconds away from becoming just the sixth woman in Canada’s history to run under a 2-minute in the 800 meters.
“Her character, and her composure and how she approaches the competition is what makes her great,” said Brit Townsend, Butterworth’s head coach. “She has always had a great perspective.”
Justine Fedronic finished in second place with a time of 2:02.99, while Butterworth’s teammates Samantha Murphy and Laurence Côtè finished third and fourth, respectively, with times of 2:03.32 and 2:03.34.
The first lap began just as expected, with Butterworth, Murphy, Fedronic and Côtè all trailing behind one another. As the runners headed into the first turn on the final lap, Butterworth made her move and started to pull away. Fedronic, Murphy and Côtè all stayed tucked behind her.
With runners staying close by, Butterworth picked up the pace in the last 100 meters for the win. But Butterworth wants more than just another victory under her belt. She wants a time of 2:00.60, which would make her eligible for the IAAF world outdoor championships.
“The immediate goal is to try and hit the world standard first,” Butterworth said. “I’m just trying to get faster and faster every year.”
