Hugh Campbell crushes M85 indoor WR in 3000 by 100 seconds!

Hugh Campbell

Competing in the Middle Atlantic USATF Open/Masters Indoor Championships at the University of Delaware last Sunday, 88-year-old Hugh Campbell ran 3000 meters in 15:46.41 — incredibly under the listed M85 indoor WR of 17:24.85 by Portugal’s José Canelo in 2011. Results are here. M60 Gary Grobman (who ran a nifty 11:38.39) graciously writes: “Hard to believe he could do this; it is not a typo, and his past performances are consistent with WRs just about every time he runs. He is featured on the homepage of the Philadelphia Masters Track and Field Assn.” On the Age-Graded Tables, Hugh’s 15:46 is equivalent to an open mark of 7:27.9! (The real WR is 7:24.90)

Gary continues:

He is also featured on page 8 of the MAUSATF newsletter. Talked to him after the race; very nice gentleman. He ran a consistent 63-second pace throughout. He’ll turn 89 in August. Said he won’t be competing in nationals indoors this year–sounds like he is interested in road races, mostly.

No one mentioned to those in the race (or the crowd, for that matter) that he was a threat to break the record; but the announcer mentioned it as he began his last lap. The MAUSATF folks were prepared for the record attempt, and had all of the paperwork already completed for him. Very cool. His wife was with him to share his celebration.

Print Friendly

March 8, 2013

6 Responses

  1. Levasseur - March 9, 2013

    I can’t believe It is possible
    Really a great performance

  2. Gary Grobman - March 9, 2013

    Here’s more on Hugh from the January 2013 Middle Atlantic USATF newsletter, which includes a Philadelphia Inquirer article about him.

    http://www.mausatf.org/pdf/Newsletter-2013-January.pdf

  3. al cestero - March 9, 2013

    fantastic…!

  4. Lou Coppens - March 10, 2013

    Hugh’s performance was fantastic.He has only been running for two years.I have been running 55 years and haven’t accomplished anything near that .I was glad to be a part of the run.I was in the ra ce and cheered Hugh on when I passed by him.Like a gentleman,he thanked me.I alsomade sure that everything was legal for the record attempt.It was very exciting.He whole family was there.

  5. Terry Ballou - March 10, 2013

    What an accomplishment and such an inspiration to all of us…no matter what your age, there is always a world record to be broken. Congrats!!!

  6. Brad Barton - March 11, 2013

    Hugh,
    You,ve set a high bar for the rest of us to follow. what an inspiration!

Leave a Reply