Ben Anderson has accomplished what he could not do a year ago at the Otago championships - the 800m and 1500m double.
The 23 year old won the 800m at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday in 1min 52.29sec, before clocking 4min 9.44sec on his way to victory in the 1500m yesterday.
After coming up short in the 1500m a year ago and missing out on the double, Anderson was ''really stoked'' to meet his goal this time round.
The Caversham runner's job was made easier in the 1500m glamour event yesterday when Sam Bremer (Hill City University) pulled out with an Achilles injury.
Without Bremer there to push him, his time was a ''wee bit slow'', but it was all about getting over the line first, Anderson said.
Despite finishing 20.15sec slower than his personal best time, he led from start to finish and crossed the line almost 4.24sec ahead of Kirk Madgwick.
The 800m race on Saturday was a different story, with Anderson needing a late surge to beat Invercargill's Jordan Rackham (18) to the line.
Rackham set the pace the first 600m, while Anderson was content to sit behind him and bide his time.
Anderson timed his charge perfectly, pulling past Rackham with 200m to go to win by 1.41sec.
Josh Browne (Christ's College) was third in 1min 54.47sec.
Anderson's 1min 52.29sec was his second fastest 800m time after his personal best of 1min 52.01, set in Wellington two years ago.
Anderson has more races planned before the national track and field championships next month.
He will run the 400m at the Canterbury championships this weekend before ''hopefully'' running the 800m at the Auckland Track Challenge next week.
