W40 Aeron Arlin-Genet runs and tweets at Stanford Invite
![]() Aeron at Stanford in 2008
|
A year ago, Aeron Arlin-Genet ran a potential W40 American record for 1500 meters of 4:27.68 at Stanford. I wrote about it here. She later ran a 4:21.6. Now almost 42, Aeron returned to Palo Alto yesterday and ran a tad slower: 4:30.79. But that’s about a 4:50 mile. Only Alisa Harvey can keep that pace in her age group. The listed W40 American record is still 4:32.73 by Joan Nesbit in 2002. The real record? It’s most likely 4:08.69 by Ruth Wysocki back in 1997. Aeron also ran a 2:13 over the weekend, and she’s been microblogging as the Running Diva. She tweeted: “800 strong w/ a 2:13. good place to start – solid double 15 4:30. Definitely the oldest running diva on the track both days! 41 & fly-in.” Aeron apparently began her Twitter blog on Feb. 12. She has the hang of it, all right. She shares her workout highlights, like this entry from mid-March: “3/18 workout: 8 x 500 (73 pace); 4 x 200 (35); 2 x 100 (100). focus on relaxed, strong form. warmer morning, should be real nice out there!”
Here’s how letsrun.com reported Aeron’s 1500:
The fast heat was a thrilling race, both for the times run and the mad dash to the finish.
================================================================
D1 Reg: R 4:27.80
================================================================
Finals
W40 Aeron Arlin-Genet runs 4:27.68 in Stanford 1500
If she submits the proper paperwork, Aeron Arlin-Genet of San Luis Obispo, California, will lay claim to the “official” W40 American record for the outdoor 1500. At yesterday’s Stanford Invitational, she took sixth in her elite section in 4:27.68. That betters the listed AR of 4:32.73 by Joan Nesbit in 2002. Of course, it falls short of Alisa Harvey’s unrecognized 4:26.49 at the 2006 Penn Relays. But way in the distance (and distant past) is another mark that fell through the cracks: Ruth Wysocki’s incredible W40 efforts more than a decade ago.
2 Responses
-
Alan Sigmon - April 6, 2008
Track Newsletter Vol 43, No. 12, p. 90 lists Wysocki’s 4:08.69 as the winning mark at the “Reebok VO2 Classic” at Los Angeles on May 18, 1997.
She ran her 2:03.95 to win at the “Steve Scott Invitational” at Long Beach on May 3, 1997 (p. 81 of TFN Vol. 43). -
Ruth Wysocki - April 6, 2008
Thanks for the help. I forgot which meet I ran the 4:08.69 at.
3 Responses
My information indicates that two established superstars (Ruth Wysocki and Alisa Harvey) and one emerging superstar (Aeron Arlin Genet) have run under the listed W40 1500 mark at least 10 times (as a group) in real meets. I wonder why the mark is still listed on usatf.org as 4:32.73. Isn’t there something wrong with listing a record that is completely out-of-date?
Great work Aeron. Congratulations.
NOTE: Adding to the W40 marks…Regina Jacobs ran 4:06.92, 6th semi-2, World Champs in Paris/St.-Dennis, 8/29/03. Her birthday is 8/28/03. She was 40yrs, 1 day old. This is faster than even Wysockis 4:08.69. This, I believe was one of Jacobs last races. If it were ratified, and it should have been considering it was at the Worlds, I assume it would have been eventually stricken from the books.
REFERENCE: p261, track newsletter by TFN, Vol 2, No. 33, Sept 3, 2003
Hey Peter, I don’t know if I would call Aeron am “emerging” superstar. She’s been running most of her life and qualified for the olympic trials in the 1500m in 2004. But in any case, she’s darn fast and looks to be in great shape!
Leave a Reply