NEWPORT middle distance athlete Chris Gowell showed that he’s running into form ahead of next week’s Commonwealth Games with a superb showing at the Welsh Athletics International on Tuesday, writes Andrew Penman.

The 28-year-old Swansea Harrier recorded the first sub-four minute mile in Wales since Peter Elliott 25 years ago.

Gowell’s 3:58.25 time in the Ann Hill Memorial Mile – named after his former coach who died in 2007 – is the quickest the US-based athlete has ever run the distance outdoors on a track and puts him fifth on the Welsh all-time list.

He posted on Twitter: "Wow, awesome night at the Welsh Athletics International. Quite emotional to win in sub-four to commemorate Ann Hill."

Gowell touched back down in Wales recently after spending the first half of the season in Texas and finished fourth in the 1500m at the British Championships in June.

But, having reached the 800m semi-final in Delhi four years ago, he believes he has the ability to mix it with the best the Commonwealth has to offer as he goes in the 1500m in Glasgow.

“I would love to make the Commonwealth final but it’s almost like an Olympics this year,” he said.

“There’s so many people coming in for it but the final is still my goal.”