Category Archives: Records & Statistics

The Guilty Pleasure of Age-Grading

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Jon Waldron

At the end of another long day of plodding, as a familiar melancholy descends and I contemplate how monumentally slow I have become in my late middle age, there grows in me a longing for a happier place, a fantasy … Continue reading →

Posted in Records & Statistics | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Mo Farah, the 2-Mile, and ‘Real’ Records

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Jon Waldron

(Photo credit: The Guardian) In my day job, my colleagues are vaguely aware of me as a running fanatic, and so they’ll occasionally draw me into a conversation or ask for my opinion about some running-related matter. For instance, after … Continue reading →

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Ron Hill — 50 and Counting

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Jon Waldron

Ron Hill is one of the most accomplished runners living, and I, for one, wouldn’t think any less of him if he takes the day off.

Posted in Records & Statistics | 2 Comments

Enduring Shame: Marita Koch and the GDR

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Jon Waldron

Photo: Wolfgang Kluge via Wikipedia I am haunted by the photo of East German sprinter Marita Koch smiling in the midst of a group of young fans. The photo was taken in 1986 when Koch was 29 years old and … Continue reading →

Posted in PEDs and Drug Cheating, Pro Runners, Records & Statistics | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Miscellany – Oct 31, 2014

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Jon Waldron

All I want to do today is take care of a few loose ends and respond to some recent reader comments. Think of it as a trip to the mental hazardous waste drop-off day.

Posted in Books and Movies, Marathon, Records & Statistics | 1 Comment

30-year-old Kimetto Sets Marathon WR in Berlin

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Jon Waldron

On Sunday morning in Berlin, Dennis Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai ran the fastest and second fastest times ever for a record-eligible marathon course. With his astonishing 2:02:57, Kimetto became the first human being in history to run a marathon in … Continue reading →

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Data Driven

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Jon Waldron

I don’t deny that running can be an intensely aesthetic experience. Some afternoons I’ll be out there on my own, running around Great Meadows at dusk as the last rays of sun make long shadows on the path, and I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, High School Runners, Records & Statistics | Leave a comment

Speed in Reverse

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Jon Waldron

While scanning the letsrun.com home page a couple of days ago, a link filed under “Random News” caught my eye. The link pointed to an article in Ireland’s Evening Herald newspaper, “Irishman is World Champion retro runner.” Calling him the … Continue reading →

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Know Your Oval: Fun Facts About Tracks

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Jon Waldron

(Image: http://www.gogeomatics.ca) I’ve always enjoyed running on tracks, and I’ve always been fascinated by them. Maybe that makes me an eccentric. After all, I have the impression that most people, if they ever think about their neighborhood running track at … Continue reading →

Posted in Field Guide to Tracks, Records & Statistics, Track | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Assisted by…

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Jon Waldron

On Friday night in Monaco (Friday afternoon here in the U.S.), Asbel Kiprop will attempt to break the world record for 1500m. The current record of 3:26.00 was set in Rome by Hicham El Guerrouj over sixteen years ago. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Pro Runners, Records & Statistics | 2 Comments