Allen Enters USATF Outdoor Championships Ranked No. 2 In The World And Ready To Take The Next Step

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

CJ Allen’s hurdle career ebbed and flowed both throughout his college and professional careers. 

Some would say the former Washington State University standout has had his worst luck when it comes to racing on the national level. 

Two races come to mind: the 2017 NCAA Division 1 Championship semifinals and the 2022 USATF Championship final. 

In 2017, Allen ran 49.44 seconds in the 400-meter hurdle prelims, but finished ninth overall, missing the NCAA final by one spot. In 2022, he ran another personal-best time of 48.17, but finished fourth in the USA final, missing a coveted spot on the United States' World Championships team by one spot. 

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“If you go look at my career, I have the collegiate record for the fastest time to not make the NCAA final and I believe last year was the fastest time to miss a team,” Allen said, laughing. “I have two of probably the worst records you could have.”

In both circumstances, Allen could have easily been deterred. Instead, he saw both opportunities as instances of growth and progress, especially last summer.

“I was encouraged; it was obviously bittersweet,” Allen said. “The goal is to make the team, to go compete at World Champs and the Olympics; those are the biggest stages to be on. I was a bit frustrated, like, it’s one of the fastest finals to make a team ever.”

History certainly repeated itself in the case of Allen falling short of the ultimate goal. However, little did he know last July at Hayward Field in Eugene would be a career-defining moment. 

A year since his last race in Oregon, Allen has put together a season unlike any of his others. Heading into the July 6 opening round at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, he currently ranks No. 1 in the country in the 400-meter hurdles with a personal-best 47.58 seconds.

“I think that this year has followed the progression of my entire career,” Allen said. “All my races I aimed to race better, race faster and race more efficiently. I think that we're finally having the season that we've been expecting for a long time as far as execution…I really truly feel like I’m just getting started again, which I think is a good place to be.”

His progression began back in August of last summer. While the top three competitors ahead of him at the U.S. championships represented their country at the World Championships, Allen was selected to represent the U.S. at the NACAC Championships in the Bahamas.

It certainly wasn’t the biggest of stages in track and field, but to wear the red, white and blue for the first time was impactful for Allen. 

“Having the opportunity to go represent (the country), even if it was a knockout championship, was almost a dream come true for me because I’ve always wanted to wear that uniform,” Allen said. “Getting that opportunity was sweet.”

He took full advantage of the moment. Allen brought home bronze in the 400 hurdles in a time of 48.23 seconds, just short of his personal best.

Months had passed since he last raced, Allen was presented with another unique opportunity to race the 400 hurdles – the indoor 400 hurdles to be exact.

Approached by Paul Doyle, founder of the American Track League, with the idea of racing the 400 hurdles at the University of Iowa’s indoor facility, Allen couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 

Never having once raced it indoors before, the outcome was much greater than he ever anticipated – he broke the American record in the seldom-run event, finishing in 48.88 seconds. 

“Before I retire, I wanted to get one of those races in,” Allen said. “The opportunity came up and I don’t think I was expecting to run quite that fast just based on where we’re at in training. But the execution was on point, and it was a blast.”

Momentum was as high as it’s ever been for Allen, leading up to the USATF Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in February. 

Again, the outcome was greater than expected.

Allen advanced to another U.S. final – this time in the open 400. Unlike before, he finally came away with his first podium finish, running 46.11 to earn bronze, behind Justin Robinson of Arizona State and former LSU great Noah Williams, who represents adidas now. 

“Indoor never really played a huge role in my mind and my training where I view myself on the season ahead,” Allen said. “You get big fun races in, and cool things happen, you put yourself in a situation to be successful. I came out with U.S. indoor medal before I came out with a podium finish for outdoor and I just didn’t think that would ever happen. It’s all the stuff that builds behind that confidence. It’s one thing after another and you just keep taking one step at a time.”

The strong winter build up has led to a fantastic outdoor campaign. 

Going into this weekend's competition at Hayward Field, Allen has won five of the seven 400 hurdle races he has contested so far, including wins at the Drake Relays and the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix. Of his five wins, one outcome that stands out the most was a win at the Meeting de Paris – a Diamond League meet.

In only his sixth time racing in a Diamond League event, Allen put together another high-class performance, running 47.91 for the win over French Olympian Wilfried Happio and fellow American competitor, Trevor Bassitt, the bronze medalist at last year’s World Championships.

“I felt probably as good as I possibly could,” Allen said. “Everything that we've done up to this point in the season, I've had a lot of fun. I've been racing incredibly well in a bunch of really highly competitive races. That's just not something that you can duplicate in practice. I feel good; I feel confident.”

Six days later, Allen found himself in another Diamond League meet. This time in Oslo, Norway, up against the world record holder himself – Karsten Warholm – on his home soil.

In his season debut, Warholm used home field advantage in his favor, taking the win in 46.52 seconds. Allen, pushed to his limits, ran his fastest time ever – 47.58 seconds. 

With that latest run, Allen currently ranks second in the world this season behind Warholm. 

“I think it's one of the first times this season I’ve had somebody really contest the race with me,” Allen said. “I had Rai (Benjamin) at Doha, and that was a close contest as well and was the first time I’d ever run sub-48 as well. I didn’t know I had the consistency of running that race pattern, that race rhythm quite yet, so to get a couple more 47’s under my belt and feel a little bit more prepared going against heavy contender like Karsten, it’s exciting.”

While the world can see what great things Allen has done on the track this year, how he’s kept that consistency while taking care of other matters off the track are what makes this season even more special.

Currently residing in Atlanta, Allen is also finishing up his Doctorate in Chiropractic and Master’s in Sport Health Science from Life University while he continues to train. He’s also a graduate assistant coach with the school’s track and field program under the guidance of director of cross country and track and field, Dominic Demeritte, a former Bahamian sprint great.

“I think there's a lot of confidence in knowing that there's something else going on in my life and something else that I have to look forward to,” Allen said. “I think that's allowed me to have a lot more fun in the sport and not put as much pressure on.”

Like other times before, this week’s U.S. Championships presents Allen with another opportunity to fulfill his goal. 

This year’s version of Allen feels different from the past. This version is brimming with confidence, and he appears ready to take the next step, if he can successfully advance to the July 9 final.

“This fight and this battle are mine,” Allen said. “It’s my burden to bear and I continue to progress who I am as an athlete and a person. I love being in those instances because it does create a greater fire and a greater burn in me because I feel I belong in those situations. I feel like I belong on those teams and feel like I belong to be there.”