Atara Segree - File

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:

Edwin Allen's Atara Segree put on one of the bravest performances in the storied history of the Penn Relays here yesterday, running the high school girls 4x400 metres heats barefoot after a competitor accidentally spiked her as she received the baton, cutting her foot and forcing both running shoes from her feet.

Leaving spikes behind on the Franklin Field track and her left heel bleeding, Segree still managed to complete the third leg of the relay, handing over the baton in third place in a race Edwin Allen eventually won to reach today's Championship of American final, with the fifth fastest qualifying time of three minutes 48.44 seconds.

"They stepped on both feet, but only one of them got spiked and cut," Segree said.

During the race, Segree said she blocked out the discomfort to concentrate on the team task.

"I just ran normal same way," she said.

limped away

Segree, in pain and limping, was helped off the track by event medical staff at the 118th staging of Penns. She was first asked to sit, then later to lie on the infield grass on her back with her feet elevated as concerned teammates and at least one Edwin Allen coach stopped by to enquire about her condition. A wheelchair was also brought to her side. However, Segree eventually got up and limped away, wearing a bandage on her heel and carrying both spikes in her hand.

According to Segree, she never thought about not running the race after being spiked and left shoeless. Too much, she explained, was at stake.

"I wanted to make my team advance to the final," she said.

Marlon Gayle, Edwin Allen's field events coach, who witnessed Segree's leg, praised her courageous performance.

"I realised that she was running barefoot," said Gayle. "I believe it was pretty outstanding and patriotic of her to continue although she realised she had an issue where she received the baton. Both of (the spikes) came off. And I believe it was one of the better legs."

Segree's split time for the third leg could not be confirmed up to press time. However, there was no doubt what her teammates thought about her effort although they were not quite sure how she ended up in that predicament.

"I did not see (the race), but I was surprised," said Kimberly Williamson, who won the high jump for high school girls. "I was wondering why she was running barefoot. My other teammate told me that someone stepped on her spikes I can see that she is very dedicated and determined to win."

Segree said she decided to simply block out the setback and get on with the job for Edwin Allen.

"I didn't pay it any mind," she said of running barefoot in a major competition for the first time and felt little discomfort. "I didn't know I got spiked until I was finished."

About 30 minutes after the incident on the track she was already moving on - albeit limping with both spikes in hand - thinking about today's final.

"I'm feeling kinda OK now," Segree said shortly before getting up and limping away with both shoes in hand. "It's stopped paining now. When I got it, it was painful. I think it is OK now."