Nolan Shaheed named USATF Athlete of the Week at usatf.org
The Mother Ship in Indy has honored Nolan Shaheed as USATF Athlete of the Week for his 2:08.5 world age-group record in the 800 over the weekend. A story about him, presumably by Katie Landry of USATF press staff, is live here. At 61, Nolan somehow finds new ways to amaze. “I will be one of the 95-year-old guys running masters races,” Shaheed told USATF. “I never want to retire from track and field; it’s good for your body, and it’s good for your mind.” Nice to see usatf.org give him wide recognition. And the season is young!
Nolan specializes in the 800 and 1500, where he's set several records this season.
Here’s the story for posterity:
INDIANAPOLIS – Masters athlete and noted jazz musician Nolan Shaheed has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after he broke his own world record in the M60 800 meter race in 2:08.56 Saturday in Los Angeles.Nolan Shaheed
Running at the Tommie “Tiny” Lister Classic, Shaheed lined-up next to collegiate athletes young enough to be his sons or even grandsons. With 200m to go, announcer Bill Fitzpatrick noted that Shaheed needed a 33-second closing 200m to set the world record. With the crowd behind him, Shaheed crossed the line half a second faster than his efforts at the Mt. Sac Relays the previous week.
“The college kids were wonderful celebrating with me and coming up to shake my hand after the race,” Shaeed said. “Then I was named the athlete of the meet, and that was really heartwarming because there were hundreds of great college kids running at this meet, and for them to decide that mine was the greatest achievement of the meet was very touching for me.”
Shaheed was first introduced to track in high school, but did not compete seriously until his late 20’s. While he once clocked 1:46 for 800m, Shaheed has watched his times in the 800 and 1500m creep up by an average of one second each year as he gets older.
“I will be one of the 95-year-old guys running masters races,” Shaeed admits. “I never want to retire from track and field; it’s good for your body, and it’s good for your mind.
Now in its tenth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Winners: January 5, Bill Tribou; January 12, Tyler Sorensen; January 20, Josh Cox; January 26,Ben Shorey; February 2, Ashton Eaton; February 9, Ashton Eaton; February 16, Bernard Lagat; February 23, Ryan Crouser; March 2, Jillian Camarena-Williams; March 10, Bill Collins; March 16, Miles Batty; March 23, Shalane Flanagan; March 30, John Nunn; April 6, Aries Merritt; April 13, Gunnar Nixon; April 20, Desiree Davila; April 27, Nolan Shaheed
20 Responses
I nominate Nolan for Athlete of the Year!
Congratulations! Great honor for a great guy.
Congratulations! Well deserved!
Nolan, You are a shining star on and off the track. Congratulations and long may it last!
Outstanding! Nolan, you are the “trumpeter” of the 800, playing the highest register amongst us middle distance runners! 🙂
Congratulations Nolan, glad to see “mother” Indianapolis recognizes royalty.
I second Lance’s nomination. It’s a no-brainer.
Congratulations Nolan … truly well deserved
Season has barely started, folks. Bill Collins is in the running for AoY, too, and who knows what will happen at worlds?
Congratulations Nolan. Well deserved honors.
Incredible how he has stayed so fit and youthful in the first two thirds of his life.
I do hope he keeps going to 100! Who knows what he will lower the records to then?
I like it, someone saying he will be there at age 95, looking seven age classes further. Or why not 110?!
Well done Nolan,from the first time I saw you run I knew you were someone special and you show no signs of letting up,keep up the outstanding work my friend
Congratulation Nolan, The season is early and you have more in you. You are a superstar in all areas of life on and off the track. I really enjoy our friendship. The best to you as you move forward.
Congrats, Nolan! You’re the Man!!!
Nolan –Man or Machine! Great Job!!!
Congratulations Nolan on another AMAZING accomplishment!
Another outstanding accomplishment for Mr Shaheed. Habit forming I would say.
You are always an inspiration, Nolan!
nolan runs “without limits”…you must be ageless!
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