Russia’s Shabunin reportedly nips M40 world record in 1500 — 2X!

Vyacheslav Shabunin

Vyacheslav Shabunin, the Russian Olympian who turned 40 last September, reportedly has beaten Jim Sorensen’s listed world record in the 1500 twice this year. The IAAF hasn’t today wrote: “He ran 3:42.65 on 27 May in Sochi and 3:42.67 on 6 June in Moscow.” If true, this means Jim’s WR of 3:44.06 was pipped by more than a second. It also means the first sub-4 outdoor mile by an M40 is just a matter of time and opportunity. I’m awaiting confirmation links on the 1500 marks. Too tired to search tonight — after my scintillating 29.04 for 200 at a San Diego all-comers meet. (Hey! I beat three high school girls!)

Print Friendly

June 24, 2010

6 Responses

  1. Ken Stone - June 24, 2010

    T&FN board to the rescue!

    Russian Top List for 1500 shows VS as No. 7 in nation:
    http://eng.rusathletics.com/rek/list.php?sezon_ind=14&pol_in=1&vid_in=55

  2. pino pilotto - June 24, 2010

    Congratulations, Ken, on your 29.04. The next 200 you will go under 29 seconds!
    As an alternative to your high-school-girl beating, you can achieve 50% of your age in seconds: it’s more gentlemen-like. LOL

  3. Ken Stone - June 24, 2010

    I informed Jim Sorensen of the marks, and he replied privately. He gave me permission to post his thoughts:

    At least it took a world class runner from half way around the world to do it, as opposed to the guy next door. I have heard a few occasional comments from “joe runner next door” about their intentions as a masters runner. Some of those comments have not been in line with reality. Shabunin boast PR’s of 3:32 and 3:49. He’s one of the all time greats.

    I remember when I first broke 4 for the mile back in 1993. My older brother said something like, “I remember when breaking 4 was a big deal, now my brother’s doing it.” as if it was a ho hum event now. He was kidding, and his point was its not a distant reality, my very own brother did it. Its not so foreign.

    However, Shabunin is pushing the mark so low that it is a huge deal. It will take a special athlete to lower his marks, and he’s not done yet. Maybe Bernard Lagat or some other world class runner who continues in the event until age 40+ will do it. I ‘m not sure if I was ever world class (3:38.65 and 3:59.16i PR’s), but I was national class and continued through the sport from my 20’s to 30’s to 40’s. Now it will probably take a world class runner that continues through his late 30’s and 40’s

  4. Matt B. - June 25, 2010

    Thank you Jim for pushing the limits. Thanks to Shabunin and to others who will follow. Thanks to the shot putters and polevaulters and everyone who is continuing their passion and raising the bar.
    It is a great benefit to our sport. Records will be broken, who knows 100 years from now just how fast or far.
    I was reading about the first master to really make an impact on the world stage, Miruts Yifter. The shifter. Sort of like Jim when he changes gears on you, it is pretty much over. He was 42 years old, and although some controversy surrounds his age, (some say he was 36 at the time-in the video the announcer says age 37) he looked 42 to me. 13:16 5000 is incredible leading time in 1980. Equivalent of a 3:54 mile. http://sports.kosmix.com/topic/Miruts_Yifter Amazing

  5. Ken Stone - July 7, 2010

    Now I realize that Shabunin has the M40 world record in the outdoor 3K as well:
    http://eng.rusathletics.com/rek/list.php?sezon_ind=14&pol_in=1&vid_in=75

    He ran 8:02.54 on June 6, 2010. The listed WMA world record is 8:03.69 by Spain’s Toni Bernádo in 2007.

  6. Jeff McDonald - December 30, 2010

    I ran with Jim at Cal Poly and regardless of what Jim thinks, he was definitely world class and he is a world class person as well. But Matt is so right about Jim, when he shifts gears on ya, it’s over. That’s what makes Jim so exciting to watch. I’ve seen alot of world class races and never saw such marvelous gear changing finishes as Jim manages to put out. As always with Jim’s career, it is too often overlooked.

Leave a Reply