Robert Lida
LISLE, Ill. – Robert Lida became the first man over the age of 75 to ever run under 13.50 seconds in the 100-meters in winning the event in 13.49 as fans on the campus of Benedictine University witnessed another world record on day three of the USA Masters Outdoor Championships in Lisle, Ill.
Taking place at the Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, the USA Masters Outdoor Championships features over 1,100 athletes ages 30-95+. More information, complete results and a schedule of Sunday’s final day of competition can be found here.
A total of five world records have now been set at the 2012 Masters Outdoor Championships, which has included Sherwood Sagedahl (M73) with his score of 3,806 points Thursday in the pentathlon, Marie-Louise Michelsohn (W70) with her time of 10:20.43 in the 2,000m steeplechase Friday and Jeanne Daprano (W75) in the 400m in a time of 1:22.39 also on Friday.
A second world record Saturday came from Canada’s Christa Bortignon (W75) in the women’s triple jump at 7.58m/24-10.5. Bortignon won the competition with a mark of 7.60m/24-11.25, but the mark was ruled wind aided.
Additionally, four American records were set Saturday, which included Joan Berman (W75) in the discus (20.80m/68-3), Karlis Ezerins (M85) in the weight throw (12.21m/40-0), Lois Gilmore (W81) in the 800m (4:28.25) and Carol Finsrud (W55) in the discus (38.46m/126-2).
The world record for Lida came as a bit of a surprise in an event he doesn’t typically focus on. Lida said his recent focus has been on chasing the world mark in the 400m and everything came together Saturday in the short sprint
“I feel very good about it,” Lida said afterward. “I had been training hard for the 400m. I ran a bad 400m (Friday) and this one just felt good. I coach high school sprinters and all summer I have been working on these things. When you teach it then it seems to come easier.”
Lida returned to sprinting at the age of 60 and is in the midst of one of the better seasons of his masters career. Lida set age group world records during the indoor season in the 60m, 200m and 400m. His focus now turns to chasing the world mark in the finals of the 200m, which will be run Sunday.
“I have been blessed with good health,” Lida said. “These records are neat milestones, but I look at guys that are coming up behind me like Bill Collins and some others and I don’t have allusions that they will stand for long.”
See below for a list of world and American records set at the Masters Outdoor Championships along with winners from Saturday.
World and American records set at Masters Outdoor Championships
WR – Sherwood Sagedahl (M73) – pentathlon – 3,806 points
WR – Marie-Louise Michelsohn (W70) – 2,000m steeplechase – 10:20.43
WR – Jeanne Daprano (W75) – 400m – 1:22.39
WR – Robert Lida (M75) – 100m – 13.49
WR – Christa Bortignon (W75) – triple jump – 7.58m/24-10.5
AR – Chris Schmid (M65) – 5,000m race walk – 25:31.23
AR – Chris Schmid (M65) – 3,000m race walk – 15:08.66
AR – David Swarts (47) – 3,000m race walk – 13:53.92
AR – Robert Lida (M75) – 400m – 1:05.08
AR – James Barrineau Jr. (M57) – high jump – 1.80m/5-10.75
AR – Linda Arnold, Karen Maxwell, Liz Palmer, Kathleen Shook, (W50-59) – 59.20
AR – Reggie Garner, Chris McConnell, Keith McQuitter, Lloyd Jeremiah, (M50-59), 1:04.29
AR – Ozzie Binion, Sergio Angulo, James Broun, Jim Dolezal, (M60-69), 1:11.48
AR – Joan Berman (W75) – discus – 20.80m/68-3
AR – Karlis Ezerins (M85) – weight throw – 12.21m/40-0
AR – Lois Gilmore (W81) – 800m – 4:28.25
AR – Carol Finsrud (W55) – discus – 38.46m/126-2
