Rhasidat Adeleke finished ninth in the 400m at the Pre Classic in Eugene, Oregon, clocking 52.26 seconds in her first individual race at the distance in a year. According to her post-race statement on Instagram, the performance was “beyond rough” as she works to recover from injuries that cut short her 2025 season. She remains short of the 51.20 qualifying standard for the European Championships.
Why did Rhasidat Adeleke finish ninth in Eugene?
Adeleke’s performance at the Pre Classic on Friday night saw her finish as the only runner not to break 52 seconds. While she started with aggression in lane three and maintained her position through the 200m mark, she lost ground on the top bend. She faded in the last 50m of the homestretch.
This 52.26 time marks her slowest 400m effort since first properly moving up to 400m at the start of 2022. Adeleke addressed the result via Instagram on Sunday, stating she is not looking for excuses. She described the race as a reality check, noting that she intends to “keep building from here” as she moves past recent injury setbacks.
Rhasidat Adeleke’s personal best of 49.07 seconds, set during her silver-medal performance at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, remains the Irish national record.
How does the current 400m field compare to recent performances?
The competition in Eugene highlighted a shift in the 400m landscape. Dejanea Oakley, running in the colours of the University of Georgia, won the race in 49.64 seconds. Oakley, who previously attended the University of Texas at Austin and trained under Adeleke’s coach Edrick Floréal, has seen a rapid rise in form, recently breaking the US Collegiate record with a 48.79 clocking at the NCAA title.
In contrast, Irish athlete Sharlene Mawdsley has shown consistent form throughout the current season. Mawdsley has run under the European qualifying time in all five of her 400m races this year. Her performance in Paris—a 50.06 finish—currently ranks her as the fifth-fastest woman in Europe at the distance.
What is next for Adeleke and the European qualification path?
Adeleke is scheduled to compete at the Monaco Diamond League meeting this Friday. The field will include Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino, who recently set a Diamond League record of 48.48 seconds in Paris. Improving her closing speed will be essential for Adeleke to meet the 51.20 standard required for the European Championships.
Athletes have until July 26th—the date of the National Championships in Santry—to secure their qualifying marks. While Adeleke’s current form is below her 2024 standards, her past success in Monaco, where she won in 49.17 seconds last year, suggests a potential for rapid improvement as she regains fitness.
Performance summary of Irish athletes
Beyond the 400m events, Sarah Healy competed in the women’s mile at the Pre Classic on Saturday. Healy finished seventh in 4:18.49, placing just ahead of her training partner Georgia Hunter Bell. The race was won by Nikki Hiltz, who outperformed world champion Faith Kipyegon.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the qualifying time for the European Championships? Athletes must run 51.20 seconds or faster to qualify.
- When is the qualification deadline? The deadline is July 26th, coinciding with the National Championships.
- Who won the 400m in Eugene? Dejanea Oakley won the event with a time of 49.64 seconds.
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