Marie-Louise Michelsohn at 70 smashes milestones in track 3K, 5K
The Central Park Track Club New Balance says team member Marie-Louise Michelsohn set W70 world records in the track 3000 and 5000 Monday — nine days after turning 70. “Running 5000 meters under windy conditions at Icahn Stadium … Michelsohn ran her first 3000 in 12:58 for her to shatter the previous world record (13:24) for that distance set by Elfriede Hodapp in 2006,” says coach Devon Joan Martin in a news release. “Michelsohn continued on to set another world record by running 21:59.90 for 5000 meters, breaking the previous world record (22:06) held by Cecilia Morrisson. Michelsohn currently holds 9 other World Records in various masters age groups.” I’m awaiting confirmation of a results website (which I can’t find) or a USATF sanction (ditto). But these marks are amazing. On the Age-Graded Tables, her 3K is worth an open time of 8:14.2. The 5K is equivalent to an age 20-30 time of 14:07. Nice work, Marie-Louise!
Marie-Louise, relaxing at the right, beat the 22-minute barrier by an eyelash.
12 Responses
Off-topic: Uh-oh, more unwanted masters publicity coming our way:
http://www.usada.org/media/sanction-jager
Congratulations to Marie-Louise. And tb, you are correct: the suspension of Kathy Jager is huge news (readers can go to the Web site you show above).
Also, at first I couldn’t see the point of the picture with this article. How about a picture of the victorious W70, I thought? The caption surprised me.
What was the track meet where M-L set these records. I did not know one could set two WR in one race – well good for her if she can get both records approved by the record Tsarina. How does one find a “twofer” race – a 3k in the middle of a 5k and get both records approved.
In any case – a very great achievement for M-L. Way to go girl. Welcome to the 70’s.
I am still waiting for any acknowledgement of the AR I set at the Maine Sr Games in the summer of 2011 for the 3k. I have yet to file the papers for my second attempt at the 3k outdoors from this past August – I just get that “why bother” feeling as it will also be ignored. And I am talking about AR not WR.
I am not suggesting a double standard at all -just that it seems to be a bit of a puzzle how to get a race set up so that a record will be approved. Obviously I do not know the answer to this – as I have failed once and probably will fail again should I file the forms. There is not likely to be a 3rd attempt on my part.
As for Kathy Jaeger – a shame that she did not have a TUE for the medically prescribed drug and perhaps could not get one. And even more of a shame that some masters are put into the position of having to forgo prescribed medication in order to participate in masters track meets or risk being tested and banned. We will see much more of this in the future – as there is more drug testing and more people with legitimate medical needs roll the testing dice. Yes a few bad apples will get caught, but my bet is that many more individuals will be banned who are taking needed medication.
Congratulations to Marie-Louise!!!
Kathy Jager’s suspension makes a case for targeted testing on two fronts -physical appearance & previous history. She is lucky that she only got two years, as she is a two-time offender!
The link will take you to a picture (# 25 of 83 on day # 3) of Kathy that shows some of the tell-tale physical signs of doping listed below.
1. Extreme vascularity (leg veins).
2. Dense & full muscle (legs, deltoids & arms).
3. Red/purple tinted skin (excess testosterone).
4. No body fat & tight skin. This 68 year old woman compares very nicely to the shirtless picture of Val Barnwell in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
http://www.usatf.org/events/2011/USAMastersOutdoorTFChampionships/Photos/Day3/index.asp
Kathy again? That would imply a life ban?
Results and sanction links:
FAT Results on USATF New York Website
http://newyork.usatf.org/News/MICHELSOHN-OF-CPTC-NEW-BALANCE-SETS-TWO-NEW-WORLD-.aspx
USATF Sanction
http://www.usatf.org/calendars/searchResults.asp?eventType=I,O&startDate=10/17/11&endDate=&state=NY
As I understand it, en route times are acceptable for record purposes for any distance convered in a race as long as the race is finished. This means that it is very possible for an older competitor to race a 10K on the track and set records at 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 1-mile…up to and including 10K, as long proper timing is used and the race is finished.
Okay, kids, I’ll weigh in on this. “Easy, Tex, at 127 this may not amount to much.” Nevertheless, once you hear my side, you’ll instantly realize that I’m completely ’round the bend.’Keep in mind that I have been doing what we love longer than anyone reading this. My 1st comp was 1948. I’m hearing two declarations: 1. Take medication but don’t compete 2. Take medication and compete with the possibility of being banned. Here’s a 3rd option. 3. Continue to compete but don’t medicate. “WOW, Tex, how novel is THAT? So, a cat stops taking his medicine and drops dead on the track?” Hmm, now that you put it that way, as an athlete, what a way to go. Smartty
targeted testing – you are quite a piece of work –
Well done Marie, I have been waiting for you to turn 70!!!
Marie-Louise
I have to say that I didn’t know that one could get 2 World Records in the same race. When I broke my World Record in 2010 for 5000 m’s, for sure, I went through the 3000 in a hansome World Record time.
Then I just never had an opportunity to actually race a 3000 m time in that same year when I was running so well.
All the best of luck for your ratification.
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