James Lofton sizzles in 400 at Cal State Games
With San Diego temperatures near 100 Saturday, M50 James Lofton burned up the track at Cathedral Catholic High School (formerly University of San Diego High School), clocking 51.75 for the 400 in a race against 15- and 16-year-olds at the California State Games. Kettrell Berry reports: “He blew the field away. His splits were 12.5/24.6/37.1. He was never challenged in the race. If he had any competition, he would go under 51.0, but that’s just my opinion.” James just missed Fred Sowerby’s M50 world record of 51.39, set in 1999.
The reason James ran against kids was because the California State Games this year dropped the adult track and field meet after many years of hosting masters. So James didn’t have an adult division to run in. No matter, few over 40 could keep up with him.
James has at least one more try for the M50 WR before packing it in for the season — the two-day USATF Western Regional Masters Championships. The 400 will be contested at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Long Beach State.
The field for the M50 400:
Steven Cummings
Mike Tipping So Cal Track – Fleet Feet
James Lofton Speedwest Track Club
Rob Duncanson KM3D Athletic Club
David Hockersmith unattached
Stephen Kloch So Cal Track – Fleet Feet
Ed Italo unattached
Only James looks to break 52 in this field.
According to the WMA Age-Graded Tables, 51.75 corresponds to an open (20-30) time of 45.1. Not too shabby.
Come late July, though, James must hang up his spikes for the season and resume his day job as wide receivers coach for the NFL San Diego Chargers. Training camp starts July 29.
So July 22 may be do-or-die for an M50 record.
Go James!
2 Responses
Wow! James, you still have it. I would love to see you go after Sowerby’s record. Is another meet on your schedule soon?
Kevin Morning,50
James you are still the man. You may well remember me, the track official, who came to Angel Field at Stanford, with my three children. I oftened wondered whar you could have run the 400m at Stanford, if you were not running the 100m, 200m, sometimes both relays, not to mention the long jump, if I remember, you won the NCAA Championship at 26’11” in 1977 or 1978. Might also add, only were you a class act on the field, but off the field as well. Keep runnin, you can do it. Gary Dawson, former U.S. National certified track official.
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