NEWPORT middle distance runner Chris Gowell spoke of his delight after making the 1500m final and promised to go for glory in Glasgow tomorrow.

The 28-year-old didn’t make the final in Delhi four years ago but he’s in great form this summer having record the first sub-four-minute mile in Wales for 25 years at the Cardiff International Athletics last month.

And Gowell, who trains in America, sprinted to the line to earn a fourth-place finish in his semi-final tonight to make the final at Hampden Park tomorrow evening.

“It’s an honour rather than pressure to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games so you try to enjoy it as much as you can,” he said.

“But it’s a huge relief to make the final and it’s about time I started believing that I belong in this kind of company and racing like it.

“I’ve been in good form and I felt like I should have gone quicker.

“I’m really fit and I know I can go really fast so I can’t wait for the final. This is huge for me.”

On the impressive burst of speed down the home straight that secured his final spot, Gowell said: “I’ve been working on that sprint finish all year with coach back in Texas.

“We’ve gone back to old school basics and it’s working for me at the moment.

“I found myself with 200m to go looking behind me and there was nobody behind me but, before I knew it, there was a 5m gap in front of me and I thought to myself ‘you’re looking in the wrong direction here.’ “I tried to stay patient and hope the gap would open up and it did.”

And Gowell is in a positive frame of mind going into the final, scheduled for 7.35pm tomorrow on the penultimate day of the Games.

“Anything can happen in the final and I’ve got to go for the win,” he said. “There’s no point in running otherwise. That’s my goal so who knows?”