Running for college team later in life, any examples?

College Running

6 years ago 07/21/2017 8:17am EDT

When I turned 30 I got more serious about running, and one day was doing some tempo work down at one of the main paths in the city where I had graduated from the university there years before.

I was probably in about 5:10 mile shape, and around mid 17s for the 5K.

The university XC (a bad D1 at the time, as far as I knew) started running, and I decided to hang with them for 5-10 minutes. After it wasn't too hard to stick behind them, it dawned on me I was probably in as good shape as the back of packers on this team.

While my eligibility had passed probably many years before that - do you know any examples where someone ran college cross country or track in their late 20's, 30's, or even 40's?

I did hear one story about a guy who played NCAA DIII football in his 40's, but I have my doubts that there are too many cases in running.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 8:46am EDT

re: Fatfontaine

Never heard of it happening and I don't see any coaches allowing that sort of thing. Even if said 30-40 year old could run with the younger guys (if it was even possible to have eligiblity that late) it would create a very strange dynamic on the team. I can't see any 20 year olds wanting to hang around a middle-aged adult.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 8:48am EDT

re: Fatfontaine

Fatfontaine wrote:
When I turned 30 I got more serious about running, and one day was doing some tempo work down at one of the main paths in the city where I had graduated from the university there years before.
I was probably in about 5:10 mile shape, and around mid 17s for the 5K.
The university XC (a bad D1 at the time, as far as I knew) started running, and I decided to hang with them for 5-10 minutes. After it wasn't too hard to stick behind them, it dawned on me I was probably in as good shape as the back of packers on this team.
While my eligibility had passed probably many years before that - do you know any examples where someone ran college cross country or track in their late 20's, 30's, or even 40's?
I did hear one story about a guy who played NCAA DIII football in his 40's, but I have my doubts that there are too many cases in running.

I've heard of it happening. The kids will at best think you are a weirdo, and worst will openly mock you.

It's not a good idea.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 8:56am EDT

re: readerofthings

The only thing I can think of as to why a coach would allow it would be to motivate members of the team to not to beat in workouts by the old guy.

But yeah, I can't find any examples, and all I see is a couple NCAA football ones.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 8:58am EDT

re: Fatfontaine

You can serve as coach proxy and I was able to do this with a D2 team. Talk to the coach.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 9:02am EDT

re: Fatfontaine

Happens all the time. Some guys have great success. Most recent example I can think of is Edward Cheserek at Oregon.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 9:06am EDT

re: Fatfontaine

It would be hella strange and funny, and even incomprehensible to an 18 year old that there's a 30 year old man training with them. With that said you can be accepted by everyone and even popular if you're cool and even if you're weird I'm sure you will make a couple of friends unless you're very weird.

6 years ago 07/21/2017 9:10am EDT

re: clownsauce

clownsauce wrote:
Happens all the time. Some guys have great success. Most recent example I can think of is Edward Cheserek at Oregon.

haha nice Cheserek mention

but seriously - I thought that D1 T&F has an age limit (post Henry Rono)

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Running for college team later in life, any examples?

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