Whitley burns a 58.91 for 400 meters at age 61
Stan Whitley, my fellow Kansas alumnus, today achieved a relatively rare feat for quarter-milers. He beat his age. At age 61, he clocked 58.91 seconds in the 400 at the Southern California Association USATF Masters Championships, according to unofficial results. The meet was at Cal State Long Beach, south of Los Angeles. The M60 American record is 55.56 by Don Neidig in 2004. Stan ran 57.27 last year at Charlotte, though — when he finished behind Roger Pierce’s 56.78.
Jeff Davison of Orange County sent me this list of unofficial meet records set at today’s meet — which also hosted submasters including three-time Olympian Amy Acuff, who turns 32 in mid-July.
W30 HJ Amy Acuff 1.85 (6-0 3/4)
W30 400M Hurdles Aprili Hinkson 63.38
W40 80M Hurdles Heidi Nardoni 13.83
W40 1500M Tania Fischer 4:48.41
W45 1500M Patricia Contreras 5:25.86
M30 PV Tye Harvey 5.20 (17-0 3/4)
M35 400M Hurdles Aaron Lacey 54.92
M40 110M HH Richard Holmes 15.13
M50 Steeple David Cook 11:35.87
M60 400M Stan Whitley 58.91
M60 (tied) HJ Greg Heet 1.55 (5-1)
M75 SP Doug Tomlinson 10.98
M75 HT Doug Tomlinson 35.22
M80 10, 000M Bob Koch 55:28.89
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The meet also featured two top notch middle distance races, with very good times. First, perennial national champion Steve Gallegos outsprinted a determined challenger in the 1500, finishing in 4:19. Then a couple of hours later, after a quick nap, Gallegos held off M50 world record holder Nolan Shaheed (now M55) to win his heat of the 800 in 2:08. A stiff breeze hindered even faster times, but both races were a lot of fun to watch.
Wow!!!!! Stan is really moving well…i hope he continues on this path. Congratulations Stan…for the “record” the recordholder for men 61 years old is Larry Barnum of the good old USA who ran 56.43 in Spain just one year ago. Both these men give me a lot of inspiration in running the 400…not to even mention Roger Pierce who ran SUB 56 last year at age 60!!
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