Mile record-holder John Hinton featured in short documentary
M45 miler John Hinton, a North Carolina masters legend, is a focus of a 9-minute documentary posted three months ago on YouTube. The video, uploaded by “jksuttle,” is described thusly: “This piece follows John Hinton (Carrboro native and world-record holder) as he prepares for the 2009 USA Masters Track & Field (nationals); it also compares his ideas and practices of running with The Pacers, a children’s running group based out of Carrboro as well. Direction, photography and editing by Chris Saunders, Kory Suttles and Chris Castro.” It’s a classic study, well-produced. Nice music. John’s mile at Landover indoor nationals is featured as well. (He almost passed out before the race, but took second behind Scott Hartley.)
5 Responses
What a story, and what a runner. An elite competitor as a collegian and an open athlete, John has demonstrated for the masters community what a real runner looks like.
It was interesting to see that the documentarian presented John Hinton as the world recordholder. Actually, as many who follow this Web site know, John broke the world indoor record (M45) for 1 mile in January 2008 with a 4:20.18 at the Hartshorne Memorial Masters Miles in Ithaca, New York (Cornell University), but he has never gotten credit for that world mark (it still belongs to Al Swenson at 4:21.90).
Apparently, the documentarian took a little license, but when you break a world record in the top masters mile in the country, have a highly regarded USATF official (the referee) sign off on it, have a FAT mark, have the race on videotape, etc., etc., normally you expect to get credit for the mark. But here we are 2 years and 4 months later and it’s still Al Swenson’s record(4:21.90, as noted).
At Landover in 2009, as the track announcer I think I dodged the issue by saying that John had BROKEN the world record (don’t think I said he was the recordholder). This year, in Boston, I think I just said that he was the world recordholder. Normally, I would not do that, but things had gotten beyond ridiculous. I am sure that there are people named Anonymous who will protest, but tell that to John Hinton (or to Tom Hartshorne, Nolan Shaheed, or Rick Hoebeke).
I am informed that John Hinton will be recognized as the world recordholder in the near future, and I certainly hope to see his name on the usatf.org Web site before 2010 is over. John is a fabulous runner and should never have been denied his absolutely legitimate record. An absolute injustice.
Inspirational John. I’m proud to know ya.
KP
What a great story, and I agree with the above poster, very inspirational.
Rob
Very well done. I obviously love the masters angle, but the kids part with the Pacers group is a great addition to the piece.
John,you are very humble ,but a Tiger on the Track.I apprecite the Invitational events that you have done over the years too.You are indeed the best Masters Track & field has to offer.Please don’t retire at 50.We need guys like you out there,besides you enjoy it too much to give it up–at least I really hope that my sense of that is correct.I am blessed to have raced with you and too have known a great man.I hope you will be in Sacramento.
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