Mile Record for 50 Year Olds

4:25.04 World and American Record

According to the wikipedia page on masters athletics, Nolan Shaheed ran 4:27.9 at 50. At least try to do it in the next 12 years before Lagat turns 50 and rips a 3:59

The mile is a has-been event. It is only run for nostalgic purposes at B-level meets where nobody will watch unless they can see someone "break the 4-minute mile." And at has-been meets like Oslo and Prefontaine, a meet in such sad shape it has two mile events.

What you should run is the 800, and you should do the running, as an 800 runner can be 185 pounds and still set world records like Juantorena.

Keep in mind that if you ever do break the world record, nobody will really know or care about it.

Has-been event?

We are talking about 50 year old has-been runners here so it sounds like a good match.

That you Jeff?

I know a dozen 50 year old has been runners that could 90% of the posters in LR into the ground. I know, that's not been saying much - but "has been" is a little harsh for 50 year old guys that can still break 4:30-4:40 in the mile.

Bad morning, Bad Wigins? - such unnecessary negativity, and moreover, the Mile is NOT only run for nostalgic reasons.

BBTM fully supports this effort, and see Mile records, lists and more at:

http://bringbackthemile.com/history

World and US Masters' records

http://www.usatf.org/statistics/records/byEvent.asp?division=american&location=outdoor%20track%20%26%20field&age=masters&distance=1&distanceUnits=mi&distanceType=run

Goldenboy wrote:

I know a dozen 50 year old has been runners that could 90% of the posters in LR into the ground. I know, that's not been saying much - but "has been" is a little harsh for 50 year old guys that can still break 4:30-4:40 in the mile.

You know a dozen 50-year-olds who can run under 4:40 in a mile? Or did you mean they were running under 4:30? That is what you wrote.

You must have one tough track club.

Look at the Masters National Championships and encourage your 50+ yr old friends to run the 1500 (or all the events) next year as a sub-4:10 1500 would win every year.

In fact all of your friends (if you only know a dozen) could take the top 12 places at Masters Nationals.

Maybe they should make a meet of it and run the 800, 5000, and 10000m too?

* wrote:

Has-been event?

We are talking about 50 year old has-been runners here so it sounds like a good match.

Don't respond to anything "Bad Wigins" says, he knows nothing. He doesn't even know how Brad Wiggins spells his name. He is a blowhard who enjoys reading what he writes more than anything else.

What I said was - I know a dozen 50 year olds that could run 90% of LR posters into the ground. I don't know a dozen of them that could break 4:40. But I know about a half a dozen who can. And yes, some of them have run at Master's Nationals and one of them has won.

Keith,

Oops. Sorry about that - my daughter came in and bumped my chair.

No, Keith, not me, if you meant me. I do turn 50 this year, but I'll be thrilled to run under 4:35.

JM

So anyway, my guy ran 1:49, 3:41, 7:47, & 13:40 back in the day.

He has stayed in decent shape running about 1,500 miles a year or so for the past decade but has not raced in a while. Presently he is about 10 lbs. above his fighting weight.

He has recently put in an 8 week block of 50 – 60 miles per week and says his 5 – 7 mile tempo runs are @ about 5:50 per mile.

Me thinks he can run 4:50 or so right now and w/ some more base and sharpening, could get under 4:30.

What do you folks think? Any of you Old Timers make a similar attempt? What was your experience? Trouble getting quickness back in the legs? Suggestions?

Old Timer Ken Martin was to have a go at that record this summer and he is closer to 55 than 50. You can find his training on the 50+ thread. Sadly he has a bigger thing to battle right now.

Wealthburg wrote:

A friend and I just hit the half century mark. Decided one of us should go for the age group record in the mile. Since he weighs 50 lbs. less than me, he has volunteered to make the attempt if I coach him. What are the American and World Records in the mile and what are your thoughts on this attempt?

You are born in the year of greatness; 1963; many fast runners are hitting the nifty fifty this year. Like a Stanford girl on a first date, it may go down more than once.

Goldenboy wrote:

I don't know a dozen of them that could break 4:40. But I know about a half a dozen who can. And yes, some of them have run at Master's Nationals and one of them has won.

You know 6 50+ year-olds who could run under 4:40 for the mile? You must know all of National Class 50 year-old runners in the US, because those are the only 50 year-olds who can currently run under 4:40.

Only 3 guys broke 5 minutes at the Hartshorne Mile Over 50 Race and two of those guys are Canadian. Sub 4:40 for over 50 is moving. MacMillan shows it as equivalent to 16:12 for 5k and 9:13 for 3000. I'm 50 next year and would be thrilled to run those, especially the 3000.

Mike Blackmore will beat you to it. He ran 4:03.5 for 1500 at 49.