W80 world record in 4×100 relay falls to foursome in Minnesota
Like M90 sprinters, W80 racers are a rarity. So when four of them got together for a 400-meter relay at the National Senior Games, the timing was perfect for a world record. Results from Friday show a team called the Elite Eighties clocking 1:26.24. That blasted the listed WR of 1:49.15 by a Canadian quartet in 2008. The new recordholders are old hands at records: Barbara Jordan, Fe-Mei Chou, Christel Donley and Flo Meiler. With the addition of another Hall of Famer, Irene Obera, the time could go sub-80! “All of us had at least two other events beforehand,” writes Christel. “For Lyon, we will try and practice a handoff. … If all of us are ‘standing’ at the end of the meet, just you wait.”
Barbara Jordan (right) and fellow Vermonter Flo Meiler (left) raced at 2013 Olathe nationals before teaming for relay WR at 2015 National Senior Games.
And here are three of the four Friday (they also ran a W75 relay in Sacramento).
From left are Christel, Flo and Barbara. Records are doomed as long as they stick around.
9 Responses
Welcome back Barbara Jordan. You have battled back from Lung Cancer over the past two years and ran some incredibly courageous races in Minnesota. So happy to see you back with us..
I did not know that about Barbara, Roger. I’ve always liked her a great deal, and now I admire her even more.
Barbara is amazing – and a woman of great courage.
Yes, Barb, is was a highlight to see you run and jump
so well. Our 4 x100 was “gravy”
I wish you all the “oxygen” in the world!
Barb, I am so happy you are back on the track with me. It was very lonely training by myself. You are to be commended for all the wins you had at the Senior Track Meet this past week. God Bless You. Your training friend, Flo
So happy for you, Barbara and Flo! After the medical issues and the loss of beloved coach, Bill Nedde, you are both flying. He must be smiling! Green Mountain proud of you!
Dear Ken – How would I go about asking permission to use this photograph on my twitter account? Sincerely ~ Gillian Fink
p.s. Thank you, thank you, thank you for teaching me about master’s track. I am grateful to have been pointed in your url’s direction.
Hi, Gillian. The 2013 photo from Olathe was mine, and you are very welcome to it! Thanks for asking.
Thank you, Ken for your gracious “yes.” Here’s to more running and jumping. You can follow me @mstrackrookie on twitter (where I will be learning how to tweet and get in shape to long jump). Again, thank you, Ken for everything.
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