Anderson and Erickson Set PBs in L.A., Teeing Up a Must-Watch 800m at the Jerome Classic 2025

Photo provided by Navinsky Anderson

Editor’s Note (Updated July 15, 2025):
Since publication, Matti Erickson has withdrawn from the Jerome Classic men’s 800m field.

By Gary Kingston

BURNABY – In another sign that the men’s 800 metres at the Jerome Classic on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 could be the race to watch, two of the leading contenders set personal best times on Saturday while also going under the qualifying standard for September’s world championships in Tokyo.

Navasky Anderson continued his impressive 2025 season by lowering the Jamaican national record for the second time this year, clocking one minute, 44.40 seconds to win the 800 at the Sound Running Sunset Tour meet in Los Angeles.

In a tightly contested finish he held off American Abe Alvarado, who clocked 1:44.47 and Nelson, B.C.’s surprising Matti Erickson, who was just behind in 1:44.49.

Erickson, a University of Oregon runner and the reigning Jerome champion, bettered his previous PB of 1:45.74 set at the Portland Track Festival in June, 2024.

Anderson’s winning time shaved 0.21 seconds off the national record of 1:44.61 he had set just last month at a meet in Baltimore, which had itself improved upon the 1:44.70 mark he set in 2023. Saturday’s race saw him deliver a well-timed surge over the final 100 metres to secure both the victory and the record, cementing his status as Jamaica’s premier half-miler.

Both Anderson and Erickson came in under the 1:44.50 World Athletics qualifying standard for Tokyo. Anderson’s 1:44.40 currently ranks as the 38th fastest time in the world for 2025, while Erickson’s 1:44.49 is the 42nd fastest.

While several men have broken the 1:44 barrier this year, Anderson, 25, and Erickson, 22 are clearly showing they have the ability to threaten that time in the highly demanding two-lap event.

Could this be the year that the 37-year-old Jerome record of 1:43.70 by American Johnny Gray is seriously threatened?

Matti Erikson pictured in yellow at the 2024 Jerome Classic.