Grenada boasts a rich history in female middle-distance running at the Carifta Games, particularly in the 1500m and 3000m events. A review of the halls of Carifta middle-distance glory paints a picture of past dominance for Grenada with athletes like Christine St. Cyr and Geraldine McQueen racking up numerous medals across various age categories. However, the current generation, represented by Anna Lisa Brown, faces the challenge of carrying this torch forward.

A Legacy of Excellence

Grenada's first Carifta medal in a female middle-distance event came in 1980, with Reslyn Mitchell's bronze in the 800m. It took ten years for Grenada to ascend the podium again in the 800m event but during this waiting period (1980-1990) Christine St. Cyr emerged as a talent to watch. She secured two Under-17 medals in the 1500m, and by 1989 became the first Grenadian to medal in the Under-20 3000m run. The following year, 1990, Sharmaine Ross, replicated Reslyn Mitchell’s performance in the 800m, and for the first time in a decade, Grenada captured bronze in the 800m run and ushered in a new era of female middle distance excellence.

The 1990s saw a surge in success for Grenada. Between 1991 and 1993, Geraldine McQueen captured six medals across the Under-17 and Under-20 1500m and 3000m events. Between 1994 and 1995, Sandra Scott ensured that Grenada’s name remained among the standouts in female middle-distance conversations. She picked up bronze medals in the Under 20 1500m and silver in the Under 20 3000m run. Grenada’s flirtations with gold in these events reached a fever pitch in 1999 when Daniella Abraham burst onto the Carifta stage. At the 1999 Carifta Games, Abraham finished 8 - 12 seconds shy of the gold medal in the 1500m and 3000m runs securing silver for Grenada however it was her 800m run that had Grenadian fans enticed by the prospects of the top spot in this event. Abraham finished 2nd in a time of 2:16.87 just short of Antigua’s Nerissa Peele who claimed the gold in 2:16.33. The 2000s and 2010s were not as favourable to the Spice Isle however, with the 2024 staging of the Carifta Games set for March 29th to April 1st.

Anna Lisa Brown: A Beacon of Hope?

Anna Lisa Brown's recent performances offer a glimmer of hope for the future. Her 2023 National championship win in the Under 15 1500m and a bronze medal in the 800m showcase her potential. While her record-breaking win at the Republic Bank Intercol Games 2023, a time of 5:06 currently falls short of the national record of 4:23 held by Neisha Bernard Thomas, it demonstrates her talent and room for improvement. Should she qualify for the 2024 Carifta Games, she will be facing athletes who are at least one category above her current level.

The Carifta Games are known for their high level of competition, and regional rivals have also produced strong middle-distance runners in recent years. Additionally, Grenada's lack of recent success in these events might create pressure for Brown in the 2024 season. While recent years haven't seen the same level of Grenadian dominance, Anna Lisa Brown's emergence offers a chance to rewrite the narrative. With dedication, support, and strategic training, Brown, a Finish Line Track Club member, has the potential to not only emulate her predecessors but surpass them, etching her name in the Carifta Games record books.