Chalmers’ showing over the 400m hurdles final in Birmingham came with more than one silver lining, as it confirmed his place at next month’s World Championships, and it happened amid the backdrop of a hugely-improved British scene where four other athletes have cracked 49sec. this season.
But the established big-stage performer did little to hide his frustration after losing his throne by 0.02sec. to one of those up-and-coming athletes, Tyri Donovan.
‘Really poor and never really happens to me in these kinds of situations,’ Chalmers said.
‘I usually do really well in the big moments and for this time, weirdly I just didn’t do it.
‘I’ve been running really well and [had a] really top-level year and just not to do it now, it’s such a shame.’
An interruption to his stride pattern had proved costly, allowing Donovan to capitalise and win in 49.18.
‘I felt OK, just none of the stride pattern went to plan and in these kind of scenarios with a great crowd and at a British Championships I want to be at my best, and it just didn’t happen for me today unfortunately,’ he added.
‘He got it on the line and credit to him for winning it.’
Guernsey Athletics development officer Tom Druce called it a ‘very dramatic race’ after seeing four men still in it on the home straight – also including Seamus Derbyshire and Jake Minshull, the latter of whom fell before the line.
‘I think the wind might have had an impact on the back straight as it picked up quite a lot before the race.
‘He seemed to have to stretch to stay on his stride pattern and then he later ended on his bad leg for the final hurdles, which he said was probably what made the difference come the end.
‘He seemed annoyed with himself but certainly the fact that it’s job done in terms of qualification will be a big consolation.’
When it comes to Tokyo 2025, which starts on 13 September, Chalmers’ objective is unchanged.
‘Second World Championships under the belt will be amazing, and I know I’m there to try and make the final – so this is not a reflection of where I am at all.’
Realistically, he could well be joined by two other British athletes in Japan, with Donovan qualifying by right and Derbyshire also eligible for a discretionary selection having run a ‘Worlds’ standard of his own.
Chalmers, who is still the fastest British athlete on season’s best, did have to praise the buzz around his event.
‘I think it’s great. I could hear the crowd coming down the home straight, it was amazing, and the event’s been in such a strong position.’
Galpin takes a positive from Birmingham
Fellow UK Championships competitor Abi Galpin also had at least one positive she could take from her outing in the 200m heats.
Although Galpin placed eighth against strong opposition with her 24.67, it did mark progress in her fight against an adductor issue that has troubled her this summer.
‘Abi looked a bit short of 200m race fitness, but that’s hardly surprising and the time relative to her opposition was solid,’ coach Druce said.
‘She said it was the first 200 this summer where she didn’t have pain in her adductor so that’s a big boost to her, irrelevant of the performance.
‘It’s been her toughest ever season in the sport so there’s a lot of positivity she needs to draw on from being out there on the big stage.’
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