Examples of Elite Runners and Athletes who Started Late in Life

It's not from running or Track and Field, but Jack Nicklaus didn't start playing golf until he was 18 years old.

fdfdadfafas wrote:

It's not from running or Track and Field, but Jack Nicklaus didn't start playing golf until he was 18 years old.

Golf is a fascinating sport in this regard because it involves so much skill, which usually is easier to develop at a young age.

You been following 'The Dan Plan'? Guy in his thirties who had never golfed before dropped everything to golf all day, every day. He's put in 6,000 hours over the past few years and has gotten down to a 2.6 handicap. Curious to see how far he goes.

Paul Evans, started running early 20's after a fun run that went well (he was an amateur footballer), only went full time when he lost his job to run in 'The Great Race' multi day race, ended up as an Olympian and 2.08 marathon runner.

I started at 32. Look out for me in the next 5 years.

Bernd Heinrich started his racing career at 40. Or a few months prior to 40. His PR at 40 was 2:22. Well into his 40's, he set quite a few records at the ultra distance. (100K, 24-Hour and 100 Mile records).

At 75, he still jumps into shorter distance trail races, and does really well at them even at 75.

Jaouad Gharib did not start running until he was 20 and was almost 30 when he first appeared in international competition.

Jack Foster EOT

http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/jack-foster

Andre DeGrasse.

Ackley wrote:

Jack Foster EOT

http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/jack-foster

The best example.

He shot 51 for nine holes when he was 10 and was coached all through middle school and high school.

fdfdadfafas wrote:

It's not from running or Track and Field, but Jack Nicklaus didn't start playing golf until he was 18 years old.

Paul Tergat (after highschool) and Donald Thomas (22yr old)

The Moroccan Clown who disrupted the finish of the Barcelona 10k started running at 32-33 and the following year was the fastest guy in the World at the distance.

Priscilla Welch. She was a smoker who started running at 35. Finished 6th in the Olympic marathon:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priscilla_Welch

I can't believe no one has mention Steve Way yet. British guy, started running in this early 30s. Represented Britain in the marathon in the Commonwealth games when he was 40.

SteveWayFan wrote:

I can't believe no one has mention Steve Way yet. British guy, started running in this early 30s. Represented Britain in the marathon in the Commonwealth games when he was 40.

Apart from, you know, the OP.

Also the dude specifically mentioned men and away go the Priscilla Welch fans.

Wilson Kipsqng didn't start running until early 20's. He was some sort of traveling business guy in Kenya, and he heard about the great Paul Tergat and it inspired him. Now he is a former world record holder, 2012 Olympic bronze (could have been gold, but ran stupid race), and has won to many major city marathons to name.

Wilsonnnn wrote:

Wilson Kipsqng didn't start running until early 20's. He was some sort of traveling business guy in Kenya, and he heard about the great Paul Tergat and it inspired him. Now he is a former world record holder, 2012 Olympic bronze (could have been gold, but ran stupid race), and has won to many major city marathons to name.

What stupidity did he do?

Umm.... ever heard of Dennis Kimetto?

Steve Jones. I believe he started running after he was in the Royal Air Force.