Leonard Hill adds M55 American record in steeplechase
Alyssa Tower wasn’t the only record-setter May 10 at Western Oregon University. At the same meet where Alyssa cracked 38 minutes in the 10K for a W45 American record, veteran runner Leonard Hill broke the listed M55 American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. His 10:42.88 took a chunk off the 10:59.2 by Ken Carman set in July 1984. Results are here. The listed M55 world record is 9:55.05 by New Zealand’s Ron Robertson in 1997. You might recall the mess made of the M50 steeple record after Leonard went 10:10.41 in 2003.
Here are results from the May 10 meet in Oregon:
Event 18 Men 3000 Meter Steeplechase
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Name Year School Finals
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1 Nebert, Lucas Willamette 9:38.29
2 Eberhardt, Cameron George Fox 9:53.24
3 Hill, Leonard Unattached 10:42.88
Here’s a quick recap of Leonard’s career, which appeared in his local paper in April 2004:
LEONARD HILL felt a bit sluggish Saturday. But a fatigued Hill is still faster than 99 percent of the Pear Blossom participants.
The venerable Hill, 50, just missed the top 10, settling for 11th place in 57:30.
“I felt my age today,” said Hill, who grew up in Phoenix, graduated from Oregon State University and now works as an assessor in Klamath Falls. “I just didn’t have much strength.”
Hill won the Pear in 1979 and ’80 and, incredibly, was among the top 10 finishers for the first 21 years of the event. His worst finish has been 13th.
When Hill turned 50 on Aug. 11 of last year, he took advantage of his new age category. He won three national masters titles — cross country, the 10,000 meters and the steeplechase, setting a national record of 10 minutes, 10 seconds in the latter event.
Hill credits his old distance coach at Oregon State — Neil Webber — for helping him set the steeplechase record.
“I did the same workouts I had done with Neil back in college,” said Hill, who won a Pac-10 Conference steeplechase title and set the OSU school record of 8:43 during the 1973 track season. “I followed the same regimen for six weeks. I did a lot of speed work, which I don’t normally do, but I held together and got faster.”
Hill concentrated on the marathon after graduating from OSU and competed in the 1980, ’84 and ’88 Olympic Trials.
6 Responses
Congrats Leonard! That’s a great time and keep up the good work. I’m pulling for you (even if you did go to Oregon State!).
Nice Job!
In 5 years please run the 3000 steeple. There should be an option for those who do not wish to move down to lower barriers and the shorter distance. I bet a a 10:59 is possible!
Congrats Leonard! Big time result for a big time great masters athlete!
Keep ’em coming!
I wrote to Leonard to learn more about the race and his plans.
He replied today:
“Thank you about the record. I wanted to give it a shot early in the season while I was still in strength shape. I have only been doing a little speed work with the Henley High Track team this spring. My splits (in the 3K) were: 81-2:46-4:11-5:38-7:04-8:30-9:55-10:42.88.
I tried to run as even as possible and only had one bad waterjump (my 87-sec ap). I don’t hurdle anymore, just step on the barriers. I plan on running the 5k, Steeple and maybe even the 10k at Spokane in August.
I need to do a lot more speed work to get close to 16:27! . . . Well, thanks again for your interest!”
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