A world-class statman steps up to the plate

Sometimes when I rap masters “volunteers” like Ross Dunton and his wretched WMA rankings, someone replies: Well, can YOU do better? Maybe not. But I know someone who can. He’s an M40 runner from North Carolina named Alan Sigmon — who just happens to be one of the most respected track statisticians in the world. His latest contribution is a list of all sub-30 minute 10K track runners in the M40 ranks.


Alan wrote me today, saying:
“According to results from the most recent issue of Athletics International, Australian Steve Moneghetti (who turned 40 in September) ran 28:33.68 for third place in the Zátopek 10,000 at Melbourne on 14 December. This missed Martti Vainio’s M40 WR by just 2.8 seconds, and moved Moneghetti to No. 3 on the all-time list for the M40 10,000.”
Alan notes that he’s never seen any masters all-time lists (I haven’t either, except for an all-time top 10 for men 35 and over). But Alan says: “I’ve lately begun the process of compiling such” an all-time list for men’s track events 800 and over.
His list of of all known sub-30:00 M40 10,000 track runners looks pretty solid. But he’s open to corrections — saying he needs times, athletes, nationalities, date of birth, finishing position in race, venue, and date of race.
“Since I’ve only recently begun work on these all-time lists, there are likely to be omissions,” Alan says. “Any amendments are welcome. Write him at Alan_Sigmon@catawba.k12.nc.us.
Here’s his masters 10K all-time list:
28:30.88 Martti Vainio (Fin) 30.12.50 17 Hengelo 25 Jun 91
28:33.4 Lucien Rault (Fra) 30.03.36 1 Rennes 9 Jun 76
28:33.68 Steve Moneghetti (Aus) 26.09.62 3 Melbourne 14 Dec 02
29:13.98 Haile Satain (Isr) 11.04.55 1 Tel Aviv 17 May 98
29:25.55 Paul Evans (GBR) 13.04.61 8 Manchester 15 Jun 02
29:23.1 Steve Austin (Aus) 14.02.51 91
29:35.27 Manuel Vera (Mex) 2 Turku, Fin. Jul 91
29:35.6 Jack Foster (NZL) 23.05.32 75
29:43.54 Nigel Gates (GB) 18.05.53 London 12 Jun 93
29:48.9 Gert-Inge Nilsson (Swe) 13.12.51 Lund, Swe. 1 Sep 93
29:51.75 Jean-Louis Prianon (Fra) 22.02.60 Saint-Denis 20 May 00
29:52.x Antonio Villanueva (Mex) 1 Christchurch 81
29:57.4 Alain Mimoun (Fra) 01.01.21 Cambrai 1 Aug 64
WMA would be insane not to get in touch with Alan and see how he can help put together an all-time masters performance list for its Web site. This guy is good.

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January 12, 2003

3 Responses

  1. Jimson Lee - January 13, 2003

    I was not aware of Alain Mimoun still running in 1964 after his gold medal in the marathon in 1956 (plus silver medals in 1948 & 52 in the 5 & 10K behind Zatopek). Was he making a comeback? Was this at France trials for the Tokyo Olympics?

  2. Tony Young - January 14, 2003

    I would love to see the Masters Top 10 in the Mile. I know of Eamonn Coglan (indoor) and Moorcroft (outdoor), but what about others. Do I need a sub 4:05 to get on the top 10 World list? 4:09.61 last year. Thanks for your hard work.
    Tony Young

  3. SHOES INSOLES - January 6, 2010

    Hi, thanks for a excellent post, a really great start for the 2010, keep up the fantastic work, Rachel.

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