DALE GARLAND became the first islander in the modern era to win a senior national outdoor athletics title with a record-breaking run in Manchester on Saturday. And in so doing the 26-year-old achieved his other main target, of running inside the B standard set for World Championship qualification.

Fastest in Friday’s heats and boosted by the absence of the only Briton who has run quicker this season, European Under-23 champion David Greene, Garland clocked his first sub-50sec. run of an injury-hampered season to claim the title.

Seldom one to disappoint on the big occasion and wearing his home island colours, the Guernseyman took seven-tenths off his best and island record with a blistering run of 49.79sec. in front of the BBC television cameras.

His previous best, set at Crystal Palace two years ago, had stood at 49.85.

‘I came here hoping to win having been second twice before,’ he said afterwards, while revealing the extent of his anxiety.

‘It was a rather nervous night and I was nervous this morning, but when the gun goes the nerves go, but it was making me nervous and I’m glad to get it over with.’

Whether Garland gets the nod for the world championships, remains open to question.

Greene has run 49.58 this year and until Garland’s magnificent rabbit-out-of-the-hat run, so typical of the man, seemed destined for a place in Osaka next month on the back of the performance.

Even Garland can only guess what might happen, as neither has the automatic A-standard time of 49.20.

‘Hopefully, the both us will go,’ Garland told the BBC in a post-race interview.

‘It was a shame he [Greene] couldn’t run here today as that will make selection difficult.’

In the heats, Garland had eased to victory in the third of four races, clocking 51.01, the evening’s fastest time.

Steve Green, his Bath training partner, was second quickest and matched that in the final while never seriously threatening the Sarnian.