Butch Reynolds training for masters comeback, eyes 400 WR

Olympic champ Butch Reynolds coaches track at Ohio Dominican University. But back in the day, he was Mr. 400 — holder of the world record (video of 43.29) for 11 years until Michael Johnson took it down. Butch’s mark is still No. 2 all-time. So when I got a tip that he was training for masters, I shot his school a note. Would he play coy? Avoid outing himself? That’s S.O.P for many elites mulling masters. But not Butch. He came right out and said his goal is “to break the M50 world record.” The listed WR is 51.39 by Fred Sowerby. (We also have a disputed mark of 49.85 by Douglas Kalembo.) James Lofton also sought the M50 record. Check out my Q&A:

Can you imagine lining up next to Butch at masters nationals? What a thrill!


Masterstrack.com: How long have you been training?  Any injuries or other issues you are dealing with?

Butch Reynolds: Training began October 1. No injuries, and have been feeling really good. No actual track workouts; I have a been focusing on preparing my body for this training at age 50. I’ve started off doing biking, swimming, yoga and a lot of stretching. This along with eating and sleeping right. It feels great to have the mindset of track and field again.

Are you getting support from your athletes at Ohio Dominican? If so, how are they helping? Their reactions to your training?

YES! The coaching staff and athletes have been very supportive, along with the university. They give me motivation and support to break the M50 world record. They are definitely seeing a difference in my appearance (ie. Six pack).
 
Have any specific competition plans this winter or next spring?
 
I might run one or two indoor meet. Events in February at the Spire Institute (Geneva, Ohio). Most importantly the Indoor US Championships Masters.  Outdoor, my plan is to run the US Outdoor Championships.
 
If you return to competition, what are your goals?  Enter masters nationals?  Enter WMA worlds in Lyon, France?

Of course all of the above, plus become the M50 world record holder. I hope to compete in China for the world IAAF Masters as well.
 
How do you regard your current fitness? Run any time trials recently?

I have always stayed in good fitness both mental and physical. I still weigh the same as I did when I broke the world record.
 
Have you told anyone (before now) of your interest in masters track?  Their reactions?

When I told individuals about running masters there were PUMPED and very excited for me (coaching staff at ODU, close friends and mentors).  My wife was the only one how seemed a bit nervous for me.
 
What are your new motivations? Health? Records? Return to fun?

To be a successful track coach.

Staying healthy is very important especially at this age.

Yes, my motivation for the records are great, but I just want to do my best and be a good track and field example for individuals my age and older.

Print Friendly

December 6, 2014

41 Responses

  1. Marcus battle - December 7, 2014

    Hey butch can run the 200 also

  2. Weia Reinboud - December 7, 2014

    This isn’t a nobody. I think the world record M50 isn’t really fast.

  3. Nolan Shaheed - December 7, 2014

    I am very happy that Butch is going for the world record and it would be great not only for himself but for Masters track if he does get it.

    I think the current record is very fast and has been attempted by many very fast men who didn’t get it.
    We have seen time and time again Olympic champions, world record holders, and great open runners who have come out of retirement to attempt a Masters record who have disappeared after a failed attempt.

    I think at his peak, Butch probably trained by doing repeat 400s in 50 seconds and it was easy for him, but what most elite open athletes don’t realize is that they usually peak around their mid to late twenty’s. By that time, they’ve competed on the world stage for several years, College for 4 years,High school for 3 years, Middle school 3 years and perhaps youth sports. All this without a break. This can be 10 or more years of State championships, NCAA championships,racing in Europe, Olympics, World Championships etc.

    The problem is,when they decide to come back at 50, they’ve been away for maybe 20 years, and want to be the best in the world. A world record at 50 is just as difficult as one at 25.It takes SERIOUS preparation.

    I hope he doesn’t get discouraged in his attempts, I’ve always liked Butch and I think if anyone can do it, it will be Butch Reynolds.

  4. tb - December 7, 2014

    If 2010 age-grading is any indication, a 51.38 to break the record will be as hard as a 44.97 back in the day.

    When you think about it, that’s not a whole lot of slowing down.

  5. Peter L. Taylor - December 7, 2014

    Nicely said, Nolan (post no. 3). I rarely disagree with Weia Reinboud (post no. 2), as I think that she is an astute observer of the masters scene, but here I must give a contrary opinion.

    The great Fred Sowerby ran the record 51.39 15 long years ago, and no one before or since has officially done better for M50. Not the legendary Ralph Romain, not Steve Robbins, not Guido Mueller of Germany, not Peter Crombie of Australia, and not the great Harold Morioka.

    Also consider that the redoubtable Charles Allie, the brilliant Bill Collins, the smooth-striding Sal Allah, and ex-NFL star James Lofton all did not do it. My conclusion is that this is a very strong record.

  6. Mike Walker - December 7, 2014

    I hope that he is successful. It would be great for Masters Track. Sure, it won’t be easy but as Weia said, “this isn’t a nobody” plus he has stayed in decent shape and is a full time track coach so he surely knows what it will take.

  7. Weia Reinboud - December 7, 2014

    Nolan of course is correct that it mostly take years to come into record shape after a long retirement, but Butch says he is in shape. More or less. Our national record is 51.82, by a runner who never ran below 48. Maybe he did not train so serious in his youth. He does not look like a 44″ runner and Butch does.

  8. Weia Reinboud - December 7, 2014

    Scroll down here to M400: http://www.at-a-lanta.nl/weia/AgeGradingsEng2.html

  9. James Chinn - December 7, 2014

    Perfectly said Nolan.

  10. Weia Reinboud - December 7, 2014

    I have done much statistical analysis when desiginig medal limits for our nationals. For some reason unclear to me the men’s 400 is a ‘weak’ event below age 60. My personal guess is the M50 record should be 48.8 or even some tenths faster.

  11. Jason Rouser - December 7, 2014

    Welcome to the Master’s Club!

  12. Barry Warmerdam - December 7, 2014

    It would be great if he could take down the record, but first it would be good simply to run a couple of hard races without getting hurt! Once an appropriate training and racing regimen is established, then a push toward lowering those new PR’s can happen.

  13. Stephen Robbins - December 8, 2014

    Let me be another to reaffirm Nolan’s comments. I specifically would note that Guido, Charlie, and Bill had impressive competitive records in their 40s and yet couldn’t get under Sowerby’s time. I believe we have a tendency to look at older age-group records, compare them to our times of 20, 30, or 40 years ago, and think the record is “soft.” Also, many of us think that we’re somehow immune to the decline in performances that everyone else is experiencing. “Gee, I feel like I did when I was 20.” Unfortunately, the stop watch (or electric timer) doesn’t lie!

  14. Doug Spencer - December 8, 2014

    I agree the 400 age 50 record will be tough to beat , it is not “soft”, I ran the 400 in HS & College and wasn’t close to Butch’s time, but taking my age 50 time compared to college and the difference and translating to Butch’s time , it will be quite an accomplishment, I hope he gets it ! Also, I think Fred Sowerby ran well under 48 ?? As best I recall he was world class .

  15. Stephen Robbins - December 8, 2014

    Doug–Sowerby ran for Antigua in the ’76 Olympics. His best time was 45.6. So we’re obviously talking here about a major talent. But importantly, he had been competing at a high level in his ’40s, which laid the ground work for his M50 record. He “warmed up” for that M50 record with a 49.89 M45 indoor record–which still stands.

  16. Doug Spencer - December 8, 2014

    Thanks Steve , I knew he was pretty good, 45.6 is afar way from 48’s

  17. Terry Parks - December 8, 2014

    Nolan is right in that is will not easy for Butch. I came back after 25 years and let me tell you it is not easy. My first 400 was around 80 seconds and I was running hard. The problem is the mind remembers running much faster, but the body has not been racing for a few decades, it takes some time to get back into the swing of things.

    If the 400 record was soft, it would have been broken a long time ago. However, records are made to be broken and it will be some day.

  18. RUDY Briscoe - December 8, 2014

    Nolan summed it up quite well. It’s not going to be an easy task. I welcome him to the masters and hope he’s successful. I can remember two other great 400m runners who quit after unsuccessful attempts.

  19. Mike Skiwa - December 8, 2014

    There is no such thing as a “soft” world record.

  20. Ashley Benjamin - December 8, 2014

    I was a graduate assistant coach at Ohio State in 1988 under Coaches Zubovich and Bowen. I worked with the distance runners but I will never forget when Zube asked me to time Butch on a set of 8 300’s. I have never forgotten that workout regarding how easy Butch made it seem. I also recall what a nice guy Butch was (and I am sure is!). I now am a sport psychiatrist in California and if Butch needs any mental prep, if he sees this, would be happy to help!

  21. Courtland Gray - December 8, 2014

    I am sure that Ken can pull up the posts about Johnny Gray’s return to running masters. People said he would set every record from 200 m up. Never happened. The great Edwin Moses was next. Never happened. These masters records were set by great runners putting lots of hay in the barn and aggressive training. It’s really hard to start sprinting at 50 after quite a few years not sprinting and expect to set records a few months later. Yoga, tennis, BB, jogging are all great for health, but have nothing to do with sprinting. Even getting to the starting line is harder than they will realize. He will rediscover muscles he never knew he had. I wish Butch the best. I also second the comments above by Nolan, Steve, and Peter.
    Merry Christmas all!!

  22. Matt B. - December 8, 2014

    Fred ran 51.33 at age 49. Like other posters I think the fact that he was already competing in masters track and in top shape had a lot to do with his M 50 wr. Not really a soft record- beatable but not by much. I don’t see a legit sub 50 for a 50 year old soon. Good luck to Butch. A 45-46 year old runner who goes sub 50 and stays competitive will have a better chance at age 50 record.

  23. Marcus battle - December 9, 2014

    Is butch in the hall of fame

  24. Tony B. - December 9, 2014

    I was his former teammate at OSU and I remember how much of a beast he was…he’s going to crush it.

  25. Sully - December 9, 2014

    Good luck with your training and welcome to masters track Mr. Reynolds,
    Sully

  26. Roger Pierce - December 9, 2014

    I agree with Nolan, James, Peter Courtland, Steve and others who have stated that it is not a soft Record. Bottom line is the fact that some very good sprinters have competed since the Record was set, yet Fred still holds it. By the way, Steve Robbins is perhaps a bit too modest to mention the fact that he held the record previously and set it in the WMA Buffalo World Championships in 1995 when he ran an incredible 51.63. And….. I believe he was 52 years old!!!

  27. Tonya Reyes - December 9, 2014

    Good luck Butch!!!
    no one on this page can do it.

  28. BMo - December 9, 2014

    Who knows what’ll happen but he sure has a decent shot. It will be fun to hear how his effort pans out!

  29. Craig Davis - December 10, 2014

    To everyone’s point records are not easy to break and to comeback may take time. So if it takes a year or two then zone it. The age group is 50-54, it will be exciting and beneficial to his/ our beloved sport. I wish him good luck and With God’s Speed good health.

  30. Rephel Martin - December 10, 2014

    The one common theme I am reading from everyones posts are health and staying healthy. The ability to stay healthy enough to train at the levels he needs so he can create the opportunities to challenge the record is a necessity by all means. The proper training and recovery protocols have to be in place for him to keep building on. He only needs one relatively good race in the right environment to break the record. It would be nothing like his younger years when he raced every weekend in college or traveled all over Europe as an elite sprinter.

    Very possible:
    400m Split TIME A.100 B.100 C.100 D.100 300m Fly200m
    Fast/Strong 50 12.24 11.72 12.39 13.64 36.36 24.12
    Strong/Fast 50 12.65 11.92 12.12 13.31 36.69 24.04

    Willie Gault has the 200m WR at 22.44 with the top 10 times in history all being under 24. Also noted the top 10 100m times in history are all under 11.4.

    I don’t what his ranges are at present but, I do know that being 50 don’t make you slow and the potential is there if he is trained right.
    TheKineticLiNK.com

  31. Anselm LeBourne - December 10, 2014

    Firstly, let mewelcom Butch Reynolds on his initial foray into Masters Track & Field at the ripe young age of 50. We know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. However, many past Olympians believe that Masters track is a Joke and most of the world records are soft. If you think you had to train hard as a youngster, the training is even more difficult now because of an enemy called injury. It has re-retired many of those Olympians who tried Masters Track and Field and just found it to demanding and time consuming. Is Sunder Nix still running? How could there be a soft world record? If world records were soft many of us will have them today. I just don’t get that. We want more past Olympians and former world class runners to come back and make our sport better regardless if they can achieve World Records or not.

  32. Matt B. - December 10, 2014

    I think the 52.24 M55 400 record is actually more impressive. I guess in that regard the M50 record could be closer to 50 flat. 48.8 that is a bit out there though that would be like a 1:52 800 at that age.

  33. Greg Hayes - December 10, 2014

    Didn’t Butch get caught doping? Who cares what he does. It’s never legit!

  34. Ken Stone - December 10, 2014

    Greg, I didn’t want to get into the weeds on the drug issue. Butch fought the IAAF to the Supreme Court. The drug police apparently screwed up royally with mismarked sample.

    Here’s a rundown on the case:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Reynolds#Drug_suspension

  35. Matt B. - December 11, 2014

    Post #30. Reynolds ran 21.4 / 21.9 in his WR with a 10.7 turn (32.1) 300, 11.2 last 100
    Perfect 400 running. Only about 6-7 tenths of a second variation from slowest to fastest 100 split. Maybe your second scenario is more plausible for him. I’d like to see him stick around a few years and attempt the M 55 record.

  36. Shorter Than Frank - December 12, 2014

    i wish mr. reynolds luck in his wr attempt. there is no reason for me to think he can’t do it given his history. however, there are valid points made above that could say otherwise. the fact that he is even trying, i believe, could be the much needed driving force to generate enough interest to bring more former and current 50-somethings out to the track to do the same. this is what masters track needs! i hope he does it! and if the record is soft, then he should break it, right? this question will be answered soon enough, but it’s entertaining to read the differing opinions on the topic.

  37. Matt B. - December 12, 2014

    M45 WR: I won’t say it is soft, but it is just not as difficult to break as the M 50 400 WR. M45-50.18 Just comparing that to the 49.89 that Fred ran indoors i the same age group. Whiteman -age 43 ran 50.01. Mainly 800/1500 runner but with great speed. I wouldn’t doubt that he can run 50 flat in a couple of years and 1:48 800 at age 45. Now that would certainly not be a “soft” record.

  38. Eugene Driver - December 12, 2014

    Maybe he could get a “rabbit” for the first 200m, then a bell “lap” for the final 100m. I’ll even lend him my ‘chuteso he can slow down afterwards.

  39. John - December 13, 2014

    re post #37 “…I wouldn’t doubt that he can run 50 flat in a couple of years…” Often heard, rarely observed.

  40. Ken Stone - March 8, 2015

    Good update on Butch (who isn’t entered at indoor nationals):

    http://www.runblogrun.com/2015/03/reynolds-rap-reflections-from-the-400m-2-all-time-performer-by-dave-hunter.html

    Reynolds – who turned 50 last June – is in magnificent shape as he prepares his run up toward a record attempt. And Reynolds has assembled a support posse to assist him on his assault on Sowerby’s world record. “I have my old coach Frank Zubovich. I have my old message therapist. We’ve been training. We’ve been working it out,” Reynolds outlines. “And we’re planning to take a European tour, go to a couple of meets in Europe, go to a couple meets in the U.S., and then go to France and maybe run an 800, and then go to China to run in the Masters 800 in Beijing.” But what about the 400m 50+ record? “I am targeting a 400m record attempt either in France or in the U.S. Masters Championships.” How does he assess his capability? “My goal is first the world record,” the former 400m world record holder explains. And with a smile he adds, “Then I think I could dip under 49.”

  41. Rick Easley - April 26, 2016

    Guess he didn’t make it to Lyon

Leave a Reply