Canadian sprinter Grace Konrad takes significant strides at Pan Am Games

It's been a year of firsts for Canadian sprinter Grace Konrad.

She claimed her first national title in the women's 400 metres and ran a personal-best time in her world championship debut in the summer.

On Wednesday, the 24-year-old nurse from Edmonton raced in the Pan American Games final.

Konrad narrowly missed the podium in fourth in her first international multi-sport Games final.

"The focus today was just to run bold," she said still puffing and panting several minutes after her effort. "I'm just working on a theme of ... to be able to just run confidently knowing that my identity is secure in Christ and in my faith and just being able to go out and risk it all.

Chilean crowd favourite Martina Weil won in 51.48 seconds followed by Ecuador's Nicole Caicedo in 51.76 and Colombia's Evelis Aguilar in 51.95.

Konrad challenged for the podium, but couldn't quite bridge the gap in 52.10.

"She just missed out on a medal," Canadian sprint coach Glenroy Gilbert said. "A close fourth. Her strength is that last 120 [metres] She just didn't get there today. Overall, she's had a great season.

"This is November. Most people in our part of the world are only beginning to train now, so very good stuff. I think her future is certainly very bright for somebody who is fairly new to the sport."

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Konrad's teammate Madeline Price of Toronto placed seventh in the 400 final on a cool, rainy night at Estadio Nacional.

Konrad relishes the last 100 metres when she goes deep into her reserves.

"Everything kind of goes numb and you just kind of go for it and don't feel the pain anymore," she explained. "I have that competitive heart I guess. I couldn't feel myself quite