Butch Reynolds renews vow he’d like M50 world record in 400
In December 2014, Butch Reynolds confirmed he was shooting for a masters comeback in the 400 — and a world record in M50. But he didn’t record a time in 2015. Now a new profile of the Ohio coach shows he still has WR dreams. He told a Columbus paper recently: “I’ve been dealing with a strained Achilles (tendon) that has kept me from competing, but [Fred Sowerby’s listed WR of 51.39 is] something I’ve got in my sights.” Frank Zubovich, his old Ohio State coach and still a mentor, said: “You wouldn’t know he was in his 50s. His body is built just like a runner in his 20s. If he can get healthy and stay healthy, it wouldn’t surprise me if he broke another world record.” Butch’s PR is the former WR of 43.29, you’ll recall. Hope he can get back on track, safely.
Butch’s main goal now is becoming as good a coach as he was a long sprinter. Photo at Ohio Dominican University by Chris Russell
8 Responses
My M50 400m time was around 5.3 seconds slower than my best “open” time. So Mr. Reynolds should be able to drop below 50. Go far it!!
According to the age-grading calculator (http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmatnf14.html) 43.29 sec corresponds to 49.45 sec. in M50. Well, a former WR is not a joke.
Sub-50 in M50 is also not a joke. We can only wish him good luck and excellent health (to endure the needed hard training).
Beware of Mike Powell’s syndrome !
I hope he is able to run. It would be good for our sport and I’ll be cheering for him.
I think he is turning 52 soon. I’ll say he won’t get it unfortunately, but still wish him luck. Best to start looking at the M55 record and take a few years to train for and target that. 52.24 is no joke!
Woodard has a better shot at sub 50 in 3 years and even that may prove extremely difficult. To go from 49 at 47 and still break 50 @ 50 would be one of the greatest sprint accomplishments out there. Staying healthy at that level is so very difficult. I do think Willie Gault’s 200 M50 22.44 record is on par with a 49.99 though.
Here we go again…. Johnny Gray, Mike Powell, Edwin Moses, Butch Reynolds, etc. It’s harder to get to the starting line than it is to get to the finish line. Still waiting. Everyone has some tweak they are waiting to heal. Well, we all have those.
just add 4 sec from open time to M40, then it’s 2 sec every 5 years.
43.29 + 4 + 2 + 2 = 51.29
I have the same record in my sights along with Willie Gaults 22.44. Last year I ran a time trial in the 200 in 22.5h. And a 300 in 38.7. I turn 50 in Dec. I am dealing with an achilles problem as well and minor cart. damage in my knee. Planning on a Feb/March 2017 effort.
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