Happy with the end result

The 33-year-old, who enjoyed many successes as a flat-out 400m runner, clocked his quickest time from three starts thus far this season to win the men's 400-metre hurdles in the Icahn Stadium in front of the enthusiastic Jamaican supporters, and though he believed his race could have been better, McFarlane was happy the cross the finish line first.

"It wasn't a perfect race," he said after his victory. "But I think we'll (he and his coach) be happy knowing that I led them coming through the line.

"With not running a perfect race and this (being) my third of the year, I think I'm looking for great things at the end of the year," he added.

Top end speed did the trick

Heading into the home straight he trailed Joey Woody, the 2003 World silver medallist by some three or so metres. However, the Jamaican used his speed to make up the small gap and took sole possession of the race after clearing the ultimate flight of hurdles to cruise to the finish line in a season's-best 49.27 seconds.

"It's never easy for a sprinter to run on a wet surface, but I was able to get a good feel for the track and that helped me win," said McFarlane.

"You never feel that you can win every race, but I did feel that I trained well enough to win today and I did."

After an inspired proposal from former University of Oklahoma coach J.D. Martin to try a new event, McFarlane, in the spring of 2003 switched from the open race to run the hurdles and in a daze he captured the silver medal at the Olympic Games the following year, which saw him accomplishing an almost impossible feat in one of track and field's most grueling races.

"I just kind of analyzed the 400m hurdlers (before me) and thought I was good enough to compete with them."

At that point in time McFarlane's coach was Martin and he said "we talked about it and he told me 'hey I think you're fit for the event,' so I just say I am going to give it a try."

McFarlane holds personal best of 48.00 for the one-lap hurdles race and boasts an impressive record without the obstacles. He has a sub-45 seconds 400m best and made a trip to the finals in the event in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, secured a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in 2001, as well as bagging a host of relay medals.

His career best in the 400m is 44.90, a time that ranked him among the world's best in the event, but McFarlane says he's happy he made the switch to try something new.