Lofton’s long-jump hopes are brought down to earth
Last year, while running near-record 400s in the M50 age group, James Lofton confessed he wanted to bring down the long jump record as well. Last Saturday at Caltech in Pasadena, it was record or bust. He bust. His first attempt was a chop foul. Then he went 5.77 (18-11) on the second, had a run-through foul on the third and, on the fourth, “put it together like Bob Beamon, get that one big jump in.” He says he had a fast runway with a slight headwind and despite not jumping since 2001 went 6.13 (20-1) — with a takeoff two inches behind the board. But the effort cost him: “Did manage to pull my right hamstring (takeoff foot), tweak my left groin, and my back has tightened up on me.”
He wisely decided against running a sprint and went to lunch with an old Stanford roommate.
“I’ll be back — on the track only, hopefully by June 30 (the Chuck McMahon Memorial Masters meet at Cal State San Marcos). Our trainer (at the San Diego Chargers, where he coaches wide receivers) checked (the hamstring) out and it’s a pretty good pull.”
Still, James is proud of the 20-1 (which is equivalent to an Open jump of 7.69 (25-2 3/4) on the Age-Graded Tables.)
He says he first jumped over 20 feet in May 1972 as a high school sophomore in Los Angeles. So with his latest jump over 20 on June 2, it’s 35 years spanning 20-footers.
He suggested: “That’s got to be some sort of official unofficial record!”
Well, not quite, since 59-year-old Edward Jones jumped 20-1 at the 2002 Orono nationals. And if Edward jumped 20 at age 18, that would make it 41 years.
Still, a wonderful effort James. Heal that hammy!
3 Responses
Can I ask? What’s a chop foul? I can figure out what a run-through foul is I think.
Thanks for the info..I will not long jump any time soon!! I have been wanting to dust off the old LJ Nike shoes for a while!
James, really sorry to read about your injury, you were running so well, hope you will be back on the track soon, best to you always.
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