Nolan ran twice Sunday at Glendale.
Seven months after
scratching from the 800-meter exhibition at IAAF Portland worlds, Masters Hall of Famer
Nolan Shaheed is back on the track, apparently recovered from injury. Now 67, he ran the 1500 and then the 800 at a low-key meet Sunday in Glendale.
See results here. His times are top-notch — 4:57.05 and 2:31.54 — but far off his usual world-leading standards. The best M65 800 this season is 2:22.72 by Holland’s
Hans Smeets. His age group’s best 1500 is 4:47.25 by American
Tom Bernhard at Michigan nationals. Nolan ranks 4th in the world in the 15 and 19th in the 8. He’s not entered at Perth worlds. Some photos from the Glendale meet — called the Self Transcendence Masters Games — are
posted here. The meet itself (once named Sri Chinmoy) is making a comeback. In any case, welcome back, Nolan (who still holds at least eight world records)!
9 Responses
The Self Transendence Masters games (formerly Sri Chinoy Games) is one of the top Masters T & F meets in the So Cal area. 2016 was their 25th year! The entry fee is low. They feed the athletes and you get a nice looking MASTERS (not Senior) T-shirt plus a medal if you finish in the top 3.
Sadly athlete participation has dropped and I’m afraid that this meet could fall like so many So-Cal Masters meets (Trojan Masters, John Ward Games, UC Riverside, UC Irvine)
Cool. Great to see him back. Those are good comeback times. He’s still got it.
It was a pretty decent turnout. I’m sure there were well over 100. They did a good job.
It was great to warm up and chat with Nolan. Won’t be long before he is back on form and threatening records.
Honor to race with Terry Parks. Good luck at Worlds!
These records should all go bye-bye in about 2 1/2 years:
M70 Indoor AR
800: 2:23.37
1500: 5:07.11
Outdoor AR
800: 2:26.14
1500: 5:12.40
Mile M70 AR
5:35.03 outdoor
5:32.4 indoor
Outdoor WR M70
1500: 4:52.15
Mile: 5:19.75
Indoor WR
1500: 5:00.43
Mile: 5:32.4
The toughest will be the 800 WR records of 2:20.45 indoor and 2:20.52 outdoor, but I wouldn’t put it past Nolan to break them as well.
3K AR and 3K WR are vulnerable
10:42.4
10:52.4 i Whitlock
Nolan is not only one of the all-time super-champs, he is arguably the most magnanimous, sweetest guy in the world. I mean not too many middle-distance runners, on their way to severe oxygen debt and/or winning races, provide those whom they are lapping (yes, me in the 1500 more than once!) with encouraging words, when in fact, they need all the energy they can muster for the final stretch? This type of generous behavior, of course, cannot be witnessed by his toughest competitors (those trying to catch him or hold him at bay): All-time champion and all-time gentleman.
Professor Burleson (post no. 5), you really hit the nail on the head. Nolan Shaheed is world-class in two fields — music and track — but like some others we admire who have had wonderful success he knows how to treat people.
This means respecting everyone and being kind to all, no matter which rung they might occupy in athletics or in the workplace. That’s the Nolan Shaheed way, and it’s the right way to do things. I admire you, Nolan.
Giad to see , I am training well finally and hope to run a good 800 at the Albeqerce Nationals. Lets go Nolan,I will take you out…………
So glad to see Nolan back on the track. He is indeed the finest combination of outstanding runner and supreme gentleman. It’s always a pleasure to be in his presence. Stay injury free Nolan!
Nolan, good to see you back on track my friend. Hope to see you stay healthy and strong and tossing down some additional unbelievable marks in 2017.
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