What is the U.S. and world 5k record for "over 50" age group?

what??? wrote:

What a loser you are wrote:

The US record is 15:41. This guy has run 15:58. That's not that far off. I say GO FOR IT. Any 45 year old who runs 15:58 has my respect. That is very respectable. Don't listen to this juvenile sitting in his dorm room. He's probably only been away from mommy for a year or two.

I don't believe the US record is 15.41 there are lots of guys who can run faster than that at age 50+

I am certain Gary Romessor (sp?) ran at least that fast...pretty sure Chuck Moeser did it too.

Nolan Shaheed ran 15:26 for the American 50+ 5K road record (at Carlsbad). I'm unaware of any American who's run faster than that, road or track, at that age - excluding, of course, times set on "aided" courses (usually those that are downhill, marked with an "a" in record lists).

I'm also unaware of who these "lots of guys" are who can supposedly run faster than 15:41. While not all top masters distance runners compete on the track, I have to admit that I can't think of any current American 50+ guys who have run near that time. That doesn't mean that there aren't any, just that I'm not familir with them.

Pete, if Martyn Rees from Wales could run 30.37 for 10k at 50, then surely there must be quite a few American runners who can run that pace or faster for half the distance?

Right Pete.

What some posters may not realize is that all records must be approved by the proper authorities to have any substance.

By the way, any runners that call themselves old runner or "old elderly runner" must be in their 80s or they are aging before their time. Thinking young helps one stay younger!

Run, think young and stay young!

Orville Atkins Age 70

What about Sal Vasquez from the Yay Area in the 1980s-90s? He was about that fast at 50+.

Martin is simply "the man" when it comes to 50+ distance runners (I'm not touching the whole situation with the guy from Israel ... don't know enough about it to lend my two cents). I've no doubt that there will be Americans running faster times in the years to come - or that there have been Americans who might have achieved similar performances in the past if they'd had better competition, and therefore more reason to ramp it up. But the performances just don't seem to be on record right now.

And something you have to realize is that masters distance runners don't necessarily perform on the same curve for various distances as younger runners. A guy who runs a 32 minute 10K is not necessarily a 15:20 5K runner. He might be a 15:50 5K runner! Personally, I can still run sub-4:20 for a mile, but I have a helluva time breaking 2 minutes for 800!

In any case, if you're already 50, then you know how good 15:41 really is! And Nolan's 15:26! If you're not there yet, you'll come to appreciate those times when you do arrive.

what??? wrote:

Pete, if Martyn Rees from Wales could run 30.37 for 10k at 50, then surely there must be quite a few American runners who can run that pace or faster for half the distance?

I assume the 30.37 is a road time?

Officially, from what I can make out, Ion Damian from Belgium holds the outdoor world track record for O/50 at 10,000mts in 30.51.

Has any male distance runner ever made the US olympic team who is over 50?

I think some guy made the US marathon team in the 1930's who was over 60 but I'm not for sure. Can someone help me?

SoCalPete - it was not 15:26, but 15:36 at Carlsbad.....he ran 15:43 later that year at Dana Point on Turkey Day (I made him work for it). The 15:36 broke the record formally held by Sal Vasquez who was an animal as a masters runner in the SF Bay area back in the 80s.

calsnailer - See, that's the problem with us old guys making statements based on our memory ... our memories ain't so good anymore! ;-)

Okay, so 15:36 is still a great time! And if that's all Nolan, who holds Mens 50+ world records at 800 and the Mile could manage, then that tells you something about what 50+-year-olds can expect to run!

Anyway, let's be honest here, folks. 50-and-over runners who are still running anywhere from 15-17-19 minutes for 5K are doing great!

But look, this thread started out with a guy wondering if he had a chance at age group records for the 5K. Honestly, he probably doesn't. But as an age group record-holder myself (American M45-49 3000, 5000, 10,000, and road 5K), I can tell you that setting records is WAY over-rated. The true joy of masters competition lies in the simple act of staying active - and it lies in the camaradery we develop with other people who share our priorities (and dedication to lifelong fitness). Of all my memories (so far) of masters competition, the social aspects rank highest. The records barely rank at all (there's sort of a bitter aftertaste from spending all that effort on an individual achievement at this age) ... except for relay records, which can be shared over beers afterwards with good running buddies.

Pete, you are indeed a class individual, and you have such a great attitude towards competition. But I will point out that the "bitter aftertaste" is potentially even more for those of us who put in the effort (including 100-mile weeks, grueling intervals, etc.), and get nowhere near those records. I don't mind so much myself, as I love working hard and being fit as possible just for it's own sake. Maybe if I can stay strong and healthy, someday I can at least go after Ed W's or Earl Fee's records, amazing though they may be. If not, then you can be sure that I will have a ton of fun along the way. It's a tough path, but I know that I wouldn't have it any other way.

Keep running and don't give up. Don't listen to those who tell you to hang it up. I won the 50+ 5km cross country course for an annual local event one month ago in a population pool of 100,000 people. I trained three months, ran no more than 6 5km runs and won the race by 6 minutes. You can do it. Just strengthen your whole body and learn to run efficiently. God bless.

I don't know if Brian Pope (the 40-44 record holder) is still actively racing, but I cross paths with him from time to time in the woods around Oxford, MS. He's still got great form (unlike this 55 y.o., whose biomechanics are slowly trending towards the grave) and I wouldn't be surprised to see him break out with an AG record one of these days.

You're right, Jordan. One of my colleagues at Ole Miss, Richard Raspet, 65, is a national-class bike racer who recently decided to step into a few local running races. In late April he ran what turned out to be a Mississippi state record for his age in the Double Decker 10K. On July 4th he ran a 19:15 5K and took second place in the race. At age 65! With almost no serious running-specific training background! You're never too old to surprise--and to have fun. He's having big fun these days, putting the fear of God into 55 y.o.'s like me.

I might add, that, given the challenges we all face, that you make certain that the races you choose are USATF Certified, though you prob. know that. I keep the Missouri state records, and still see, as of last weekend, people claiming a course is certified, when it's not, and having to be called out on it. Sad, I expect a race to be measured as claimed, or it's a fraud. If anyone wants to race in Missouri, you can find our single age records at

www.staterunningrecords.com

. and age group lists at

www.mararunning.org

.

On Labor Day, in Overland Park, Kansas, Kevin Miller, age 51, ran 15:53, not too shabby, broke the state record by over 1/2 a minute. When I was that age, breaking 20 was exciting for me, yikes!