Sorensen sets M40 American record with 4:05.27
Jim Sorensen ran a fabulous 4:05.27 mile tonight in Bloomington, Indiana, according to a post on T&FN and the dyestat prep site — taking fifth in a race won by Dan Wilson’s 4:01.00 and finishing behind prep star Matt Centrowitz’s 4:03.47. Jim became the fastest American 40-year-old in history, beating the listed M40 national record of 4:09.61 by Tony Young five years ago as well as an unratified 4:07.27 in 2005. (Tony also ran 4:05.51 indoors.)
Because of Matt’s presence in the Indiana University race, prep sites and message boards went bonkers. Maxpreps posted an account of the race.
Jim was less than 3 seconds off the M40 outdoor world record of 4:02.53 by Britain’s David Moorcroft in 1993. David’s record grows in stature every year (as well as the M40 indoor mile record of 3:58.13 by Ireland’s Eamonn Coghlan in 1994).
On the Age-Graded Tables, Jim’s 4:05 corresponds to an open time of 3:51.80. Not too shabby.
Of course, Jim’s M40 WR in the outdoor 1500 of 3:44.06 is worth a 4:02 mile, but the longer distance is a special challenge. It’s cool Jim found a rabbited race in which to seek his record. I salute the American Milers Club for letting Jim compete tonight.
And a gratuitous, self-indulgent aside:
My blog’s hit counter shows that I had 1,099 page views (with 442 readers) today — by far the most single-day visits to this blog in its four-year history.
Thanks, Jim! (And thanks, Jim fans!)
7 Responses
Kudos from Bangkok!!!!
Jason
Congratulations to Jim….great job…it takes a massive effort to get a guy like Tony Young “bumped” off the record list. Both of you guys are great examples of athletic EXCELLENCE… not to mention the best Masters has to offer.. Records come and go but both you guys seem to know its how we live our lives that really matters.Great examples of to us all… the best to both of you guys.
Id say alot of your hits came from the ever reputable letsrun.com linking to your blog. Well done on the coverage.
According to the meet website, Sorensen ran 4:00.34. The link is http://www.nftl.net/events/2007/american_milers_status2.asp
Am I missing something?
David Monti
The 4:00.34 was probably before he turned 40.
The 4:00.34 was a pre-event ENTRY/SEED time, which was a computer glich anyway, because the entry time was listed as 4:01.86 (3:44.06 1500 meter time plus 17.8 seconds). The computer rearranged some entry/seed times somehow.
Jim had to enter an expected race time prior to being in the race to see what heat the event organizers put you in. Jim entered his qualifying time as 4:02 since this is an official time ran when he was age 39. Turned age 40 in May. Between him posting the time of 02 and the event published qualifying time became 4:00.34 Don’t know why.
The 4:05.27 should be the correct time.
Hopefully the AM record holder will chime in and give an interview.
Great to see people out there given the opportunity to reach a milestone and acheive their goals.
I want to thank the clubs to let these fine atheletes compete and show America and the world how things are done here in the USA.
This is a great thing to accomplish when you are 40.
Thank God for the gifts these atheletes posses and the priviledge for us to experience it.
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