Rich Burns M55 Mile World Record 4:36.94 - Congrats Rich!

So what does Henry have to say about this?

Thanks for the video.

Who held the previous record, and what time was it?

The 33 year old world record was 4:40.4 by Australia’s Jack Ryan in 1977. Rich also beat the listed American M55 record of 4:42.7 by Nolan Shaheed at this race in 2007.

This is why I love Masters track! Still some glory for us old farts.

Nice slice of four seconds off the WR and for equivalency closing in on the extraordinary 4:12.5 1500 WR of Ron Robertson

Interestingly... when you age-grade Rich's mile time he's run the equivalent of a 3:52.5 mile - That's pretty good!

this is why one should be very sceptical to age grading.

I don't follow. He breaks a world record in his age group. It doesn't age-grade to a time faster than the overall world-record for the mile. I don't see the reason for skepticism.

Well Done Rich ~

Good to see you healthy again. Way to put a time "OUT" there. Fun to watch on video.

Tony

What was Rich 800 and 1200 in that race?

I understand we will all get slower as we age, but if age-grading a performance like Rich's is suspect, then how do we know when one is legit. Somebody explain age-grading and how it works and why/how it's used in running.

Age grading is better for going forward than back. So if you look at a time at age 40 that you were running for the mile and then compare it to an age graded mark at age 50 maybe you can get an idea if you are actually doing better in some way compared to your own personal athletically ability. It really doesn't matter. What is cool is that there are great runners breaking the age records and gives upcoming runners something to shoot for. Pretty good time for a 55 year old. Given 10 years this may be 4:29. I am sure a 45 year old who is capable of a 4:15-18 mile may be able to run a sub 4:30, if they stay healthy, just so many factors, who knows.

The real benefit is how incredibly fit these guys are and how they must feel compared to your average 55 year old. Amazing and inspiring.

Skate,

In ten years what runners might run a sub 4:30 mile?

Instead of age grading, how about we just look at the time and the 55 year old dude who ran it and say, "Damn that's fast!"

I'll say it..."Damn that's fast!"

Nice job brother!

Day would need about 2:04 ~ 800 meter leg speed.

I agree

Sorenson, Young, who knows others are out there

That's incredible. If I can break 6 mins when I'm 55 years old I'll be proud of it. This guy is rollin'.

skate wrote:

Pretty good time for a 55 year old.

Yeah, considering it was a WORLD RECORD, I'd have to agree.