© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated
Irish runner Tommy Hughes age 64 appears to be on the precipice of rewriting the Ed Whitlock-dominated age-group record book.
Hughes clocked a new world age-group best-known time in the 10-mile race finishing in the time of 58:13.
Hughes wrote on social media, “Delighted to run a World 10 mile record for a 64-year-old (single age record) at the Portaferry 10 mile road race. The record was held by the one and only Ed Whitlock (Canada) of 1 hour and 9 seconds set in Hamilton, Canada on 26th December 1995. I am going to the Irish national 10-mile road race championships in Phoenix Park, Dublin this weekend to try and improve on that time.”
*Athletics Ireland’s social media post after another record run in 2022.
🌟Masters Athlete of the Year – Tommy Hughes🌟 2/2
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) February 5, 2022
His achievement this year in becoming World Over 60’s Marathon Champion in London was the culmination of an astonishingly high level of performance over the last few years!
Proudly Supported by @irishlifehealth pic.twitter.com/HHATe3BKUb
In 2020, Hughes, age 61, bettered the world marathon record by over six minutes in the 60-65 age group – he finished in the time of 2:30:02.
On May 5, 2024, Hughles clocked 2:36:37, at the Belfast Marathon, which is the fastest 64-age marathon performance of all time.
The key factor in Hughes being able to tackle the 65-70, 70-74 and 75-79 age group records mostly set by Whitlock, will be having the ability to consistently train as he continues to age.
Whitlock ran all of his records before the advent of the super shoe.
Canada’s Whitlock (former of Great Britain), died in 2017.
Results
Below is a small sample listing of records that may be in Tommy Hughes’ future. Note, the slowdown per age group in some of the events.
Distance | Athlete | Age | Record | Location | Date |
3000m | Derek Turnbull | 65 | 9:47.40 | Christchurch, New Zealand | 08/02/92 |
3000m | Eddy Vierendeels | 70 | 10:38.98 | Nonove, Belguim | Nonove, Belgium |
5000m | Alastair Walker | 65 | 16:36.59 | Tullamore, Ireland | 13/08/22 |
5000m | Ed Whitlock | 75 | 19:07.02 | Dieppe, France | 23/07/06 |
10,000m | Ed Whitlock | 70 | 38:04.13 | Brisbane, Australia | 09/07/01 |
10,000m | Ed Whitlock | 75 | 39:25.16 | Dieppe, France | 21/07/06 |
10,000m | Ed Whitlock | 80 | 42:39.95 | Sacramento, USA | 11/07/11 |
10,000m | Ed Whitlock | 85 | 51:07.53 | Toronto, Canada | 12/08/16 |
10,000m | Derek Turnbull | 65 | 34:42.20 | Christchurch, New Zealand | 13/03/92 |
12K | Ed Whitlock | 65 | 44:27 | Buffalo, USA | 10/13/99 |
12K | Doug Goodhue | 70 | 48:37 | Alexandria, USA | 11/16/14 |
15K | Cees Stolwijk | 60 | 54:32.0 | Nijmegen, Netherlands | 17/11/93 |
15K | Ed Whitlock | 65 | 55:04 | Utica, USA | 9/07/00 |
15K | Ed Whitlock | 70 | 58:19 | Guelph, Canada | 29/04/01 |
15K | Ed Whitlock | 75 | 1:00:29 | Schenectady, USA | 12/11/06 |
15K | Ed Whitlock | 80 | 1:07:05 | Schenectady, USA | 13/11/11 |
15K | Ed Whitlock | 85 | 1:15:10 | Schenectady, USA | 13/11/16 |
Marathon | Derek Turnbull | 65 | 2:41:57 | London, UK | 4/12/92 |
Marathon | Joseph Schoonbroodt | 70 | 2:54:19 | Maas, Belgium | 5/8/22 |
Marathon | Ed Whitlock | 75 | 3:04:53 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 4/15/07 |
Marathon | Ed Whitlock | 80 | 3:15:53 | Toronto, Canada | 10/16/07 |
Marathon | Ed Whitlock | 85 | 3:56:38 | Toronto, Canada | 10/16/11 |