Impossible dream: setting a single-age American record that counts

Larry Barnum is Don Quixote in a track suit. He’s a world-class M65 long sprinter who ran an amazing 58.62 for 400 meters last weekend at Long Beach State — the same meet where Clare Look-Jaeger set her W45 American record in the high jump. (See results here.) So what windmill is Larry tilting at? He’d like to get recognition for being the fastest 67-year-old American quarter-miler of all time. The problem: The only one who kept track of such marks is Pete Mundle, and he hasn’t updated his Masters Age Records booklet in years. And his booklet is unofficial, a hobby. But he raised expectations for years with the annual delivery of his MAR. He trained people to think such records count and were always collected. They don’t and they aren’t.

Larry (No. 38) battles world champ Steve Robbins at 2007 Orono nationals.



Larry writes from Reno:

“I’ve already had knee surgery, so the doc says I’ll need a new hip and a knee replacement sometime soon. Individual mileage may vary. Turns out that my time appears to be one of those “single age” records for a 67-year-old American and, apparently, second to Guido’s world mark for 67. (It age-grades at about 95.95% and I turn 68 in November). So how is this communicated, who keeps track anymore, and does anyone care?”

I told him not to get his hopes up. Mundle has been incommunicado for years.

I also informed him that my attempt to jump-start a Wiki for single-age records fell flat as well. Few people updated it.

See it here.

If someone wants to become the next Pete Mundle, God bless ’em. Short of that, we’ll have to recognize marks piecemeal. Like on this blog.

Think you have a single-age record? Ship it to me, and I’ll give you an attaboy (or attagirl).

It’s all we got at this point.

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September 23, 2011

12 Responses

  1. Weia Reinboud - September 23, 2011

    Yes yes much work to keep track of thse single age page Ken… I know all high jumps and it is quite difficult to remain up to date.

  2. Bubba Sparks - September 23, 2011

    I’m hoping for the M58 PV AR this year. What else do we have to shoot for near the top of the age bracket? 😉

  3. Jerry Smartt - September 23, 2011

    I dig the single-age records thingy. Mundle, and company, did a terrific job with their compilations. I set the age 43 ‘record’ for 5,000 track in 1975 at Masters Nationals in White Plains. My 15:30 lasted at least 25 years. “Gee, Tex, that’s kind of slow.” “Okay, ‘youns’, but in 1975 IT WAS FAST.”(^_^). I hope Larry gets his record. That time’s a beauty. Smartty

  4. James Chinn - September 23, 2011

    Larry is amazing.

  5. MICHAEL DE JESUS - September 23, 2011

    GREAT RUN LARRY!

  6. Mary Harada - September 23, 2011

    Looking good Larry.
    Bill Benson is one fellow who has a passion for single age-group records as well. He often has the booklet in his hand at track meets.
    Indeed would be nice to have single age group records kept – maybe some web genius could come up with a honor system to record such records. I am not organized enough to consider taking on such a task. Such records would not be “official” of course – we have enough problems with the current AR and WR record non-system.

  7. marie Kay - September 23, 2011

    GREAT JOB Larry.. your a super star!!!!

  8. peter taylor - September 23, 2011

    What? 58.62 at age 67? Larry, you are sensational.

    In terms of history, I believe that Rudy Valentine (New York area) was the first to go “under his age” in the 400 (probably about 24 years ago). Now it has become commonplace. But to go 8.38 seconds under at 67. Wow.

  9. Roger Pierce - September 24, 2011

    This couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Larry’s performance is even more remarkable because of his litany of serious injuries and the fact that he is unable to train at a level appropriate with his athletic ability.
    Speaking from the point of view of a 400m competitor and friend and knowing the physical obstacles that Larry has had to overcome during the past few years, I have to say that Larry’s 58.62 performance at 67 years and 10 months of age is a remarkable achievement. He deserves to be recognized for accomplishing this time despite severe training and physical restrictions.
    My thought is that his lovely and talented Aussie running wife Carmel has been instrumental in training Larry and is his secret weapon. To both of them “Good on ya Mates”

  10. Paul Edens - September 24, 2011

    Way to go Larry…! That has to be the best 400 by a 67+ yr old in the US. It will be a long time before anyone from this side of the pond betters that mark. You deserve recognition for that great performance. I can think of another great record that you set in 2004 when you drove Karyn and I from Sindelfingen to Frankfurt to catch a plane. Thanks again for that.

  11. Earl Fee- August 30, 2011 - September 25, 2011

    I am an advocate of keeping accurate track of my specific age world records in the past and usully reporting to Pete Mundle. Petes’ record keeping would be more accurate if everyone were to report to him their suspected specific age world record results. Anyway I applaud Pete for his past efforts as it is a huge volunteer job. I sincerely hope Pete and others like Marten Gasselberger with his 800m list will continue their efforts in this area.
    For myself, it is an important goal and motivator to try to exceed the existing specific age record in my events. For then I can tell if I am on track and working hard enough to break a world record in my next age group.

  12. Joseph Burleson - September 26, 2011

    Congratulations, Larry! This time is more than slightly incredible, considering the restrictions Larry has had to endure in his training. During Sac worlds, Larry told me of his workouts on a stationary bike, sessions that would make a Grand Canyon pack mule puke, coupled with almost no ability to run due to injuries. Still, he produced a 3rd in the M65 400 at Sacramento, not far behind his two other-worldly friends and competitors, Aussie Peter Crombrie and Boston’s Roger Pierce. Wow! A couple of more months, and these three supermasters might have had to re-arrange themselves on the podium. All three have been World Champions on the track just as they continue to be World-Class representatives of Masters T&F.

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