Allen Woodard wins USATF Athlete of the Week for M45 WR 400

Allen outlegs Antwon Dussett in 4x4.

Allen outlegs Antwon Dussett in nationals 4×4.

Allen Woodard was named USATF Athlete of the Week just in time. Had Indy waited a few more hours, the winner would have been Keni Harrison for her WR 12.20 in the 100-meter hurdles in London. M45 Allen was a star at Michigan nationals. As USATF recounted: “Woodard (Houston, Texas) improved the M45-49 record he set in April 2015 by over three-tenths of a second, as he ran a 49.32 … in Grand Rapids, Michigan.” Allen told USATF: “It took a lot of hard work and dedication. I just had to do what I do in practice and execute. I try to lead by example as a [youth] coach and inspire other people.” He now hopes to go faster. “What I can do now, go back to the drawing board and get [sub-49] for next year. I plan on having a more intense offseason, get stronger, work on my flexibility. I still have a lot of things that I can work on to get faster as I get older. Maybe sub-48.” Allen is one of the 200-meter winners I caught in slow-mo at Grand Valley State University.

Allen responded to a quickie Q&A request Saturday, and reminded me of his 49.12 WR:

Masterstrack.com: Did anyone get splits on your team’s 4×4? And how come your name wasn’t in results?

Allen Woodard: Yes, my hand-time split was around 49.4. Which wasn’t bad considering the strong backstretch wind. I stayed pretty relaxed for 300 meters and then picked it up a bit the last 100 meters. It was great competing against Antwon Dussett of the Southwest Sprinters. I look forward to more head to head competition. Again, that’s great for the sport. I’m not sure why my name isn’t on the final results of the 4×4. I’m assuming it was a mix-up.

Your reaction to being named AoW again?

Of course, it’s always an honor to receive USATF Athlete of the Week. It makes me happy that USATF acknowledges my performances and performances of other masters athletes. That’s really good for the sport.

Any more meets for you this year?

No, that’s it for me this year. I’m going to take about 4 to 6 weeks off and then ease back into off-season training.

Anything else you’d like to share with my readers?

Yes, first of all I would like to give all glory to God. I’m very thankful for every chance I get to compete. I would also like to thank my wife and all of my supporters and fans. And a special thanks goes to my teammates 2ND MD RACING and family, Clint Phillips, Jason Melton, Winston Chambers and Brenton Phillips.

It’s always a pleasure teaming up with those guys. Our team placed 12th overall out of a 100-plus teams with only 5 people. That was great! It’s been a great season. This is my first time competing a full season since starting back in 2011.

Also, it’s the my first injury-free season, which resulted in a new world record in the 400 meters, 49.12 and a PR in the 200 meters, 22.06. I fell short of my goals, which was to hit 48 seconds in the 400 and 21.7 in the 200. Hopefully, that will not be an issue next season.

This year’s times were 400 meters 50.32, 49.69, 49.12, 49.17, 49.38, 49.17, prelim 51, finals 49.32. 4×4 splits 48.41, 47.50 and 49.4. My 200 times were 22.73, 22.44, 22.49, 22.58, 22.25, 22.34 prelims 22.7 and finals 22.06.

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July 22, 2016

14 Responses

  1. Peter L. Taylor - July 23, 2016

    Allen is a big-time runner, and I love having him in our meets. His style, his pacing, everything about him reminds you of an elite collegiate or open competitor.

    Note: After Allen broke the record in Michigan, I announced to those assembled that he had run 49.12 earlier in the year. I do hope that that mark, which was run in April, will be accepted. I talked to Jeff Brower, our records chair, at Grand Rapids, and he said he had no application for that performance.

  2. ed rose - July 23, 2016

    Great slow mo shots.

  3. Paul Brown - July 23, 2016

    Big ups to Allen Woodard on being named USATF Athlete of the Week for his clutch performance at Outdoor Nationals. Ken, the slo-mo shots of the winner then the field behind them crossing the finish line in the 200s was a nice touch, clever idea.

  4. Stevan Dixon - July 23, 2016

    Allen is a straight up B*E*A*S*T

  5. Matt B. - July 23, 2016

    He can do it. 48 at 48- the youngest to run his age in the 400! Who is the oldest? Someone out there must be close to 90 at 90.

  6. Peter L. Taylor - July 23, 2016

    Well, Matt, I will put my money on the Canadian they call “The Great Earl Fee.” Earl has the M85 world mark in the 400 at a sick 77.12, and I’m hoping that when he reaches 90 he’ll be able to knock off an 87.00 or so.

    It was my great pleasure to announce The Great Earl at Grand Rapids; he sprinted to the front in the 200 to prevail in a wind-aided 36.90 at age 87. There is no one else in the world like The Great Earl.

  7. Matt B. - July 23, 2016

    Peter,
    Wow. Maybe even a couple seconds faster! If he can run 38 for 200 at age 90 then 42/43 would be about right for an 85. It is truly amazing.

  8. Daphne Sluys - July 23, 2016

    loved the slomo montage

  9. K. Chambers - July 23, 2016

    The slo-mo was awesome!

  10. Roger Pierce - July 24, 2016

    Thanks for the great video..and music, Ken..

  11. Jason Purcell - July 24, 2016

    Really nice video! Thank you!

  12. Michael Jaqua - July 24, 2016

    Well that was inspiring!
    Great video compilation!

  13. Ken Stone - August 1, 2016

    Great video of Allen being interviewed on comeback:
    https://vimeo.com/174542981

  14. Ken Stone - February 27, 2017

    Video of Allen running 49.49 out of Lane 8 on Feb. 27, 2017. He’s 48:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyHXCKhRZ4Y

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