In 2002, he won the 400 metres hurdles at the English Commonwealth Games trials, held in Manchester. He also won his third and final Welsh 400 metres title. He competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, winning two silvers, one in the individual 400 metres hurdles and the other in the men's 4 x 400 metres relay as part of a Welsh quartet that included British-record holder Iwan Thomas. In the 400 metres hurdles, Elias set a Welsh record in the heats to go through to the final as the fastest qualifier, before being beaten by England's Chris Rawlinson in the final. In the 4 x 400 metres relay, Elias ran anchor leg in the final, losing out on the gold medal by 0.01 seconds as he was beaten by England's Daniel Caines to the line, whilst setting another Welsh record. He competed in the 2002 European Athletics Championships in both the 400 metres hurdles and 4 x 400 metres relay. In the 400 metres hurdles, he finished third in his heat, failing to progress to the semi-finals. In the relay, he ran anchor leg in the heats, in which Great Britain won their race, before running second leg in the final on the way to winning a gold medal.