Are Ed Whitlock's AG records realistically in reach for anyone you can think of?

I've seen many masters runners near to Whitlock's ability but only two of those bothered with a marathon. The first had been running marathons for 30 years and just missed sub 3 (3.03) at age 70. The second had been running marathons for 50 years and succeeded in sub 4 at age 80. I think Whitlock's records would tumble pretty quick if more masters runners actually bothered.

It will be someone who started running late in life. One candidate is Gunnar Durén of Sweden who started at age 45 and at 50 ran the 800 in 1.59.69 (0,07 from the age class WR). He's also quite good at longer track distances and had primarily planned to stay on the ovale, but after a few sprint/kick related injuries lately he's gonna give the marathon a try now.

Then again maybe he still started too young and will be a burn-out before he reached the ages where he can touch Ed's records.

Brian Pilcher

http://www.runnersworld.com/masters/a-remarkable-masters-marathon-record-in-the-most-painful-way-possible

not that unknown, just the press doesn't care, no clickbait value, except maybe as the population gets older, people will start looking to masters athletes for inspiration since running a two hour marathon isn't something someone in their 50s can relate to

and how about the women, even less known:

http://www.arrs.net/SA_Mara.htm

some impressive times in there for 60 and 70 years old

(Ed really dominates that list for the men's side though, wow)

Looks like a legit threat to me! Anyone know if/when he plans an attack on the marathon 60s WR again this year?

Guido Müller ran a sub 60 400 when he was 70 and could still do 62 when he was 75, which is probably faster than most of you. Not dissing Whitlock but Guido is the true fast old man.

The reason an old man doesn't run marathons is it destroys your body, not because it's hard for an old man to be in shape. Most marathon runners grind their joints into splintery dusty fragments before they can be a fast old marathoner.

Don't know if this was the same Dave Walters...

I was doing a long run at about 6:30 pace on he Jackson Middle School track in Orlando about 30 years ago and a guy came up and did (if I remember right) 6 x 1 mile, 440 jog and he was doing each mile in about 4:20 to 4:30. It was something to see. I talked to him after and he said his name was Dave Walters and was a pilot. The age is about right; I'm 62 now.

If Dave is on this forum; did you ever run this track?

Pretty cool how a name can just come out of nowhere after such a long time.

If Ed focused on shorter races he could have been right on 17 flat for 5k when he turned 70. He ran 60:08 at crim 10 mile which is hilly course at the age of 69. That is comparable to 17 flat 5k

Rufus Dufus wrote:

All of these predictions are way off and have totally missed the point. I guess that comes from not actually knowing Ed's story.

Secondly, while he had the genetic talents, as do these guys, there are very few who have the luxury or commitment to actually run 3 hrs a day through your 50s, 60s, and 70s. A lot of commitment for no actual gain. He wasn't going to break the records either he was just going to run.

.

Some good points, but Ed didn't start his three hour/day running until his late 60s. In his 40s and 50s he did more conventional training for shorter distances. The key element with the overdistance is learning to SLOW DOWN, which most older guys don't have the humility or patience for. I am following a similar (but slower) path into my 60s and it can be tough to have joggers cruising past you as you shuffle out a 10-15 miler.

few oldies care for marathons wrote:

I've seen many masters runners near to Whitlock's ability but only two of those bothered with a marathon. The first had been running marathons for 30 years and just missed sub 3 (3.03) at age 70. The second had been running marathons for 50 years and succeeded in sub 4 at age 80. I think Whitlock's records would tumble pretty quick if more masters runners actually bothered.

Sub 4 at age 80 is impressive (only half a dozen guys have done that), but Ed ran 3:15 at age 80 (IMHO, even more impressive than his 2:54 at age 73). That's nearly 1 min/mile faster than any other 80 year old. That puts him fairly high on the 70-74 fastest times and only two guys 75-79 have beaten it.

His 70+ record seems attainable (there are at least some guys who have come close), but someone needs to break 3 hours first.

I think so. A guy named Doug Winn from California, ran 1:12 at 60 for 20k in New Haven

in 2006

https://www.usatf.org/statistics/records/byEvent.asp?division=american&location=road&age=masters&distance=20&distanceUnits=km&distanceType=run

Frank Shorter is 69. We should start a go fund me account to finance him while he comes out of retirement to break Ed's marathon record.