Anselm is No. 1, this time in Boston.
At Boston University today,
Anselm LeBourne took second place in the 15th section of 18 heats of the 800 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic. Still, the meet announcer should have been aware of history in the making. Anselm ran the fastest M55 race of all time,
clocking 2:01.60. He beat the listed WRs of 2:06.87 (indoors) by Spain’s
Joaquin Joyas in 2014 and 2:03.7 (outdoors) by South Africa’s
Stan Immelman in 2001. It’s his third WR of January, after clocking indoor bests in the
1500 and mile. On the Age-Graded Tables, his effort is equivalent to open (20-30) mark of 1:41.37. Incredible! He was 102nd out of 139 at BU, but he now lays claim to being the best fiftysomething middle-distance runner of all time. His race was recorded on video,
posted to Facebook. He went from fourth with a lap to go to second. As an NCAA meet, the event qualifies for masters (and USATF) records.
22 Responses
Congratulations Anselm, it was a great race to watch you smash the World Record! Bravo!
Whoa! Congrats on a Herculean effort!
Wow! Anselm, a special congrats to you. I knew you would smash the record. Besides the breaking of the “two minute barrier”, this has to be the greatest Masters 800 of all time. You are an inspiration to all of us!
I’m told meet announcer noted WR, which brought cheers.
The BU indoor track is a great place to race, congratulations Anselm- you showed the youngsters that track competition is a life time sport.
WOW. Does anyone know the age of the oldest to ever go sub 2:00?
I think 8 or 10 years ago, there was a Dutchman, seems like his first name was Rob, can’t recall last name, went 1:59 and change at age 50. Maybe others have better memories than me and can pin this down better.
The Dutch record on 800 outdoor is 1:59.45 of Ronald Mercelina back in 1996. Former world record, Nolan possesses it now with 1:58.65.
Lindy..it would be Anselm. Age 52. 1:59.33
Indoors-1:59.99 Gallegos-50
Anselm we use to race a lot at StJohn’s outdoor track. Your old coach John Moon and Norm Tate taught me how to long jump when I was 17 at the job corp in Edison N.J. You are what Masters Track is all about. God has given you a gift.Stay Humble my brother.Peace to you Rob
Thanks to all of you for the many compliments on the achievementts. I really appreciate all of you and the things that many of us are doing to move masters track to higher heights. However, I do have a question? I am wondering why I have not won USATF athlete of the week for all my worlds records. Can this be considered age discrimination? Should masters athlete have their own masters athlete of the week? Masters management what do you say?
It probably is age discrimination but it definitely is crazy. You are an incredible athlete and your time of 2:01.60 at your age is ridiculously fast as anyone knows who can’t get a 61 400m knows, then you get under 61 for two 400’s at a time. I was curious is it is your plan to get under 2 minutes in the 800 again. Seems like you could and I am rooting for you to do so. I’d like to see you racing in your 60’s and beyond to see what kind of standards and examples of excellence you can set. I’m also curious as to what your diet and training regime is like. This site should have its own masters athlete awards. The USATF isn’t really masters oriented and we can do much better in recognizing these extraordinary, amazing achievements that take so much talent, perseverance, and hard work.
I think masters are clearly overlooked and should be considered for athlete of the week. It would show the diversity of our sport.
Former masters USATF Athletes of the Month include Kathy Martin, Deena Kastor, Flo Meilor, Willie Gault, William Bell Jr., Phil Raschker, Rita Hanscom, Sumi Onodera-Leonard, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Nolan Shaheed to name a few. It helps to perform in our National Championships, as most of these athletes have.
Former masters USATF Athletes of the Week include Kathy Martin, Deena Kastor, Flo Meilor, Willie Gault, William Bell Jr., Phil Raschker, Rita Hanscom, Sumi Onodera-Leonard, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Nolan Shaheed to name a few. It helps to perform in our National Championships, as most of these athletes have.
So Mike performing in a National Championships is a criteria? Where is that in the USATF policies?
I didn’t say it was a requirement, Anselm. It just helps get more attention for your hard work. IMO, if you want attention for your feat then perform at a National Championship.
Congrtas on the AOW!
Anselm’s wish was granted:
http://masterstrack.com/2015/02/34336/
Mike, I am sorry to tell you my friend that performing at the National Championship does not get you more attention, breaking world records does. I have never received any attention for all the championships I won, in addition I have won Masters age group athlete of the year a few times without performing at the National Championships. What is the incentive to run at the national championships?
Hey Anselm, As a former USATF Masters T&F Site Selection Chair, I encourage all masters to support out National Championships. IMO, attending these meets is how we can strengthen and further the reach of our sport. You, of course, are welcome to race wherever your want.
Mike, in the world that we are living today, and due to many us with busy busy schedules, there must be some kind of incentive to get all the best athletes to attend National Championships. For example, since the USATF is sponsored by Nike, maybe giving out a Nike back pack with goodies in it to all the winners could be a place to start. After winning several championships people need other incentives to keep coming. You are just asking us but not giving back anything to us. Just so you Know, I was the individual at the World Championships in Finland that suggested that the USATF should at least give free uniforms to all USA competitors like some other countries were doing. I see that they are going to be doing that soon. We just can’t continue doing the same thing and expect to get different results my friend, we have to shift out thinking.
Nike could fund the entire US masters program and showcase the immense talent our athletes posses…but IMO that has never been what Nike has been about. Bottom line.
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