M80 Ed Whitlock’s plans for Sacto: ‘Have a go’ at 1500 world record

Ken Hamilton

Ed Whitlock, who sets M80 records at will these days, replied a few days back to my latest inquisition. I wanted to know more about his 5K and 10K track world records at Canada’s masters nationals. He graciously replied: “Weather for 10 was pleasantly warm with slight intermittent breeze. Plan was to run 1:45 per lap to [get] 43:45.” He says the first lap was 3 to 4 seconds fast, but slowed on the second lap too much—”now slower than target pace.” He tried to get back on pace over the next two or three laps, but found it “a bit hard and getting a bit concerned. Then things began to click. Made my own pace for half the race. Then (M60) Ken Hamilton passed me and stayed a bit ahead of me for the rest of the race, the gap varying by 2 to 10 metres. I was not drafting, but he acted as a target. He could have run faster if he wanted to.”

Ed continued by detailing the 5000:

Weather … was pleasantly warm with a somewhat stronger gusty breeze. Plan was to run 1:40 per lap for 20:50. Never got on pace, always a bit slow as my legs were tight from the 10. No pacing help, really a solo run. Had a strong final lap at a bit over 1:30 to manage to duck under 21:00

I asked him: What other distance marks will you shoot for this season?

He replied: “Hope to have a try at bettering my marathon record in October. If conditions are conducive in Sacramento, will try to improve 5 and 10 times and have a go at the 1500.”

The listed M80 world record for the metric mile is 5:59.11 by Japan’s Yoshimitsu Miyauchi in 2004. If Ed runs the event, consider the WR a lock.