Trials winner Galen Rupp listens as Meb parries questions from the press.
Y’all should know by now that
Meb Keflezighi held off all but
Galen Rupp at the Olympic marathon trials in Los Angeles, which I covered
for the USOC and also
Times of San Diego (with a few photos). He ran 2:12:20. Good for him. He’ll be 41 at Rio in August — the oldest-ever American marathoner at the Summer Games. But a big Southland shoutout to
Colleen de Reuck, who at 51 finished the race under hot conditions (mid-70s being brutal for road runners). She clocked 2:49:57. And 43-year-old
Kevin Castille, the oldest in the men’s race, dropped out just after the half-marathon. He was on a killer 2:18 pace. (See his
New Yorker profile.) Across the country Saturday,
Sean Wade ran an indoor 3000 at Boston University in 8:43.63.
(See results.) That slaughters the listed M50 WR of 8:49.37 by Britain’s
Nigel Gates in 2004. Sean’s mark, set against collegians like the recent mile, is worth a 7:38 on the Age-Graded Tables. Amazing. Across the pond at Dutch masters indoor nationals,
Rietje Dijkman raised the W75 high jump WR to 1.24 meters (4-0 3/4) and W65
Weia Reinboud boosted her own WR to 1.39 (4-6 3/4). But looking at my headline, are you thinking what I’m thinking? Keflezighi for president! (And if anyone says you’re not a natural-born citizen, just point to
Ted Cruz.)
7 Responses
Great synopsis of the race. I could actually feel the heat!
It will be interesting to see if Sean Wade runs in any Championship track meets. I’d like to see him at the Indoor Nationals or some other championship meet. The record breakers need to legitimize their records for the integrity of the sport.
Distance World Records are very seldom set in a national meet where there is not sufficient competition to push the pace necessary for that type of effort. I for one see no reason to think that Sean Wade’s tremendous run against outstanding college athletes is any less legit just because it was not run in a national masters meet. Congrats on a great effort and showing the “kiddie’s” you can still do it!
Sean’s mile & now 3k WR’s are tremendous efforts. Just knowing the workout levels to maintain without injury, make my joints cringe.
The only way a top 50’s guy can hit these marks is to either have top 40’s going at it in the front or to get on the “youngster” train and get a ride.
Well done Sean!!
Thanks guys, yes I am only really motivated by times and potential records. I have entered indoor nationals but not sure if I will run. I want another crack at 4:20 mile and a 1500 at sea level before the end of the month. But after this weekend double my legs are trashed. But not injured fortunately
Full time recovery mode this week
Another incredible performance Sean! Very inspiring. Thanks for showing the rest of us what is possible.
Awesome running Sean! That seems pretty legitimate to me. It takes time and money to go to races. Why not pick the ones that give the best chance for a good time?
Leave a Reply