Douglas Kalembo makes a date with 400 history: a sub-50 at 50

Until this summer, the oldest man to break 50 seconds for 400 meters was probably Fred Sowerby, who at age 45 ran 49.89 in 1994. At the first world masters track championships in 1975, the M40 400 was won in 50.7 seconds by a gent named M. Garmish from Germany. So when Douglas Kalembo runs the 400 on his 50th birthday this Saturday (or in the finals Sunday), he has a chance to make history beyond our pioneers’ imaginations. Douglas says he’s entered in this Atlanta meet, which is USATF-sanctioned. His 49.77 of last weekend shows he’s ready. As an appetizer, here’s a video shot by his wife, Primrose Kalembo, of his 49.77 from lane 3.

In late June, Douglas ran a 50.02 at Emory University — out of lane 8.

Here’s the video, which Douglas graciously shared with me. (I posted both on my YouTube account.) Godspeed, Douglas. Make us proud.

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July 21, 2010

18 Responses

  1. Callum McInnes - July 21, 2010

    Sensational!!!

  2. Don Drummond - July 21, 2010

    That is some sensational running by Douglas Kalembo.

    Great video of lowering the listed WR.

  3. Don Drummond - July 21, 2010

    He was in total control from start to finish and ran a very tactical race.

  4. buzooti - July 21, 2010

    WOW!

  5. Byrke Beller - July 21, 2010

    Man that guy is amazing! Some serious genetics going on there!! Hope he passed them along.

  6. keith McQuitter - July 21, 2010

    I love it when there is prove,no snow job here

  7. Will McHone - July 21, 2010

    Very impressive running! Even looked to me like he was just loafing a bit in the first 70 meters or so. What happened to the white guy in lane one???

  8. Mike Shufelt - July 21, 2010

    I think the white guy was Mike Shufelt so he might have quit or given up..just kidding..very amazing run

  9. Hmmm - July 21, 2010

    It’s too close to call, but I think that Mr. Kalembo may have been the beneficiary of a false start.

  10. Hmmm - July 21, 2010

    Does anyone else think that his body begins to move forward just before the gun goes off?

    It’s hard to tell, but if you look at the start of the runner in lane 2, it appears that there is movement in lane 3 before the gun is fired.

    Either way, Mr. Kalembo will be the WR holder in two different age groups before the season ends.

  11. saladin allah - July 22, 2010

    Though Mr. Kalembo just may own, in time, both records in the 400m in M45 & M50 age-group, for me, it says so much about Fred Sowerby, who I happened to see run in his prime.It took a former Olympian to take down his records !
    If I get anywhere near Sowerby’s times at 50 -which is my goal – I’d still be proud.

  12. Gary - July 22, 2010

    That is phenomenal

  13. al cestero - July 22, 2010

    hmmm…i looked about ten times, and didn’t see any remnant of a flyer…just a solid performance .congratulations to douglas…you make us all very proud !

  14. David E. Ortman (M57) Seattle, WA - July 23, 2010

    Terrific run/dash. However, there is a reason you want competent help at a track meet. Note that in the top video no one has pulled any of the blocks, including lanes 2 and 3, as the runners cross the finish line. Cripes.

  15. rooster - July 24, 2010

    Does any one have knowledge of Douglas’ training program. Phenomenal running.

  16. saladin allah - July 26, 2010

    Just discovered former Olympian, D. Kalembo breaks 50-54 WR with a 49.86 time….by himself if I’m not mistaken. Looks like he was the only one in the race !
    Congrats again, Mr. Kalembo.

    Saladin

  17. Don Drummond - July 26, 2010

    Sal!

    No disrespect to his competitors, but he has been running from start to finish by himself all year.

    He runs the same tactics with or without anyone filling a lane. I am curious to see how he would respond with someone pushing him to the finish. Good Job Kalembo!

  18. saladin allah - July 26, 2010

    …Indeed, Don. What running he is doing at 50 !

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