Do people seriously think he dopes? I won't rule it out, but it seems highly unlikely. What would be the incentive? It's not like a 60 year-old masters runner from Ireland is going to be a sponsorship magnet or that there's any sort of decent prize money so there's no financial gain. There's no real fame either, beyond a few notices in the running community.
To me, he's just a very good athlete who, for some reason, has stayed demotivated into later life in a way that other Olympic athletes have not. I'm almost certain someone like Steve Jones could have run quite a lot faster than 2:30 in his 60s if he had the motivation. Tommy is just one of the very few Olympic level athletes that wanted to keep running hard into their pensionable years
Doping doesn't depend on financial incentives. Or even fame. It also occurs amongst amateurs. An athlete highly-motivated, as he undoubtedly is, may also be motivated to succeed in any way possible. Thanks, mods.
Marvelous as Tommy Hughes's running is it wouldn't shock me if there are some 2:02 - 2:05 type guy who might run in the low 2:20s at 65 if they kept at it. We're really only just starting to redefine what's possible for outliers.
Great points but this one will not work.
A top marathon runner will not do anything after the end of his running career. He is mentally and physically done. None of the 2:05 types will run 2:20s in their 60ies.
All these phenomenal age group record runners you see are huge outliers and if anything they are the exception of the rule.
Marvelous as Tommy Hughes's running is it wouldn't shock me if there are some 2:02 - 2:05 type guy who might run in the low 2:20s at 65 if they kept at it. We're really only just starting to redefine what's possible for outliers.
Great points but this one will not work.
A top marathon runner will not do anything after the end of his running career. He is mentally and physically done. None of the 2:05 types will run 2:20s in their 60ies.
All these phenomenal age group record runners you see are huge outliers and if anything they are the exception of the rule.
I would agree. Most age-group champions were not world champions or anywhere near it in their youth. Top level sport takes a huge toll on the body - and the mind. The better older (50+) sportsmen/women are often latecomers to their sport. Fresher and more motivated.
Marvelous as Tommy Hughes's running is it wouldn't shock me if there are some 2:02 - 2:05 type guy who might run in the low 2:20s at 65 if they kept at it. We're really only just starting to redefine what's possible for outliers.
Great points but this one will not work.
A top marathon runner will not do anything after the end of his running career. He is mentally and physically done. None of the 2:05 types will run 2:20s in their 60ies.
All these phenomenal age group record runners you see are huge outliers and if anything they are the exception of the rule.
All elite athletes are outliers and exceptions to the rules. That's why they are elite and the rest of us just chase around well behind hem.
A top marathon runner will not do anything after the end of his running career. He is mentally and physically done. None of the 2:05 types will run 2:20s in their 60ies.
All these phenomenal age group record runners you see are huge outliers and if anything they are the exception of the rule.
All elite athletes are outliers and exceptions to the rules. That's why they are elite and the rest of us just chase around well behind hem.
True too but they are only exceptions for so long. After that they are done and their bodies are worn out.
Martin Rees retired at 63 due to a knee issue, per Dr.s advice. He had been planning on running a marathon. Martin Rees is the greatest masters runner ever...along with Ed Whitlock...they are the top 2, bar none.
Tommy Hughes is the best. Martin Fiz, another olympian will be 60 March 3, 2023. If he is still healthy and running, he could be a threat to run sub 2:30. Martin's resume is more impressive than Tommy's. Look him up on Wikipedia. 2 outliers? This was bound to happen eventually. Look at what Bernard Lagat has done so far as a master. Kenenisa Bekele is a master now.
Martin Rees retired at 63 due to a knee issue, per Dr.s advice. He had been planning on running a marathon. Martin Rees is the greatest masters runner ever...along with Ed Whitlock...they are the top 2, bar none.
Looks like he started racing his way back into shape in early January, usually at the park runs. He has already gone from mid 19's to low 17's. He's coming back.