Jim Sorensen sprints to M40 world record: 1:50.34
Three days after setting the M40 American record in the mile, Jim Sorensen of San Leandro, California, turned his sights on the two-lap standard — and delivered. Jim ran the 800 in 1:50.34 Saturday at Indiana University, smashing the M40 world record of 1:50.69 set by Ireland’s Colm Rothery in 2000. Jim took fifth at an American Milers Club meet in Bloomington. The time lowers his own American record of 1:51.57, set in mid-May. The 800 becomes his second WR in a month, since he set his age-group’s 1500 world best June 4.
So which is superior — 1:50.34 or 3:44.06?
According to the WMA Age-Graded Tables, the 800 mark has an associated age-graded percentage of 96.41 percent and corresponds to an Open (ages 20-30) equivalent of 1:44.88. Under the same tables, the 1500 mark is rated at 102.10 percent with an open equivalent of 3:30.33.
So Jim’s metric mile is rated better on a statistical basis.
I can’t decide. I’m in awe of both marks.
Jim is now the best combined 800-1500-miler of all time at age 40.
Johnny Gray ran faster indoors as an M40 (1:48.81) and Eamonn Coghlan ran a faster mile indoors at 3:58.13. But who at age 40 has gone faster, on a combined basis, in all three races?
Congrats on the historic season, Jim. Quite a ride.
Rest up and do it again next year!
Here are the posted results from Bloomington:
Event 1 Men 800 Meter Run
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Name Year Team Finals Points
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1 Koczman, Jacob Indiana Invaders 1:48.76
2 Wieczorek, Mark Unattached 1:48.77
3 Mayes, Marcus Unattached 1:49.14
4 O’Brien, Sean Oregon Track 1:50.31
5 Sorensen, Jim Sports Basement 1:50.34
6 Myers, Adrian Unattached 1:50.68
7 Carrillo, Juan NY Athletic Club 1:54.42
8 Schmitz, Alan Unattached 1:56.49
9 Jefferson, Sean Unattached 2:03.45
— Bell, Ricardo Indiana Invaders DNF
— Bailey, Caleb Indiana Invaders DNF
6 Responses
World Record Jim 1500 ,
Age-graded 99,97%–3?Ǭ¥30″33
Not 102,10%
Un saludo
Jim,
Congratulations on a great year. Great running, and best wishes to you and yours.
Sal Allah
(M45-1:54.18 WR holder)
WOW !!!!!! astounding!!not one often at a loss for words i have to say this is an incredible achievement.Congratulations to Jim…and to Ken Stone for a great website and keeping us all informed.Hey Jim you can REST now!!!!!!
My goodness, what a great season for Jim Sorensen!
Since I entered masters 6 years ago, there’ve been some great American middle-distance runners in the 40-44 division – Anselm Lebourne, Sal Allah, Tony Young, and John Hinton. I’ve run against Colm Rothery from Ireland and Graeme Fell from Canada. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, here comes Jim as the best of them all!
Congrats, Jim! And good luck in your training and racing to come!!
FR: David E. Ortman (M54) Seattle, WA
Absolutely astounding 800/1,500m results.
Not to beat a dead record horse, but given the paperwork (and we all know about the paperwork screwups) required for setting masters American Records and World Records, it is probably more accurate to say that someone exceeded or beat an existing record. I always thought you had to have the time or mark certified before a new record was actually set.
What did Graeme Fell do? I am not familiar with his Masters accomplishments. Enlighten me.
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