Dage Minors says there is a “50-50” chance he will compete at this year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia in April.

The newly crowned KPMG Front Street Mile elite men’s winner has met the qualifying standard in the 800 metres but has yet to confirm his availability because of school commitments at Franklin Pierce University, in New Hampshire, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in leadership.

“I want to go because it is one of the biggest games out there and is an opportunity to represent Bermuda,” Minors said.

“But right now it’s 50-50 on what I am going to do because I am still in school and have eligibility to compete for my school, so I don’t know how that’s all going to go.

“It would be a great honour. I will have to talk with my adviser to see how many classes I will miss and how I can make up.

“It’s just one of those sacrifices you have to make. But I am 22 and so I think I will still be running in another four years to go for it again.”

Minors achieved the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard competing at last April’s Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational in New Jersey, covering the 800 in more than half a second under the qualifying time of 1min 50sec.

Donna Raynor, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, is keeping her fingers crossed that Minors will be able to compete at the Commonwealth Games, which would mark the athlete’s first appearance at the event.

“I am hoping that he is able to go Commonwealth Games because with school and Commonwealth being the time it is, some of the athletes are not able to,” Raynor said.

“He is supposed to be getting back to me to let me know, so I’m really hoping he is going to be able to go Commonwealth Games.”

Minors carved his name in local road-running history after becoming the first Bermudian to win the men’s elite mile.

He blazed to victory in 4:33 after breaking away from the pack about 300 metres from the finish line. He also competed in the 10K the next morning, finishing third local and eighth overall despite being plagued by a bout of cramp and fatigue.