Dutch master Simon Vroemen steeples 8:12 at age 39

Simon Vroeman of Holland, the listed M35 world record holder in the 3K steeplechase (8:04.95 in 2004), turns 40 in May 2009. If he can hang on another year, he’ll likely demolish the M40 record of 8:38.40 by Italy’s Angelo Carosi in 2004. (The listed WMA world record is 8:41.5 by Belgium’s Gaston Roelants in 1977. Wacked as always.) Last week, Simon steepled 8:12.50 in a German meet. Simon thus qualified for his third Olympics and says: “So far my best Olympic result is sixth. I would like to improve on that, but first of all the final will be the main goal.” According to one of my masters moles, Simon says he “will probably give (the M40 record) a try!”