00:05:15

WEBEDITOR AWARDS HIMSELF ANORAK OF THE MONTH AWARD!

Using the statistcs from Martin Rix's wonderful site www.gbrathletics.com I have analysed the ages of the 100 fastest ever British walkers at 50km on the day they set their best times.  Peter Kaneen is the third oldest. This doesn't mean that only two walkers older than him have recorded faster times as they may have been outside their best but still faster than Peter. But it does mean that only two have been improving at an older age - there must be more to come Peter!

By contrast, Manx resident Gordon Vale holds the dubious honour of being the youngest of the top 100 never to improve his time. He was just 21 years 9 months and 26 days when he set his best time, although he was aiming so much higher at the time (he tried to break 4.05 the previous year). I entered the event in Hungary in which Gordon set his best time and intended to travel with him but did not due to injury.  So I was destined for my anorak having set my best time as a 25 year old. I expect Steve Partington to advance up the "grey 50" league table - he could well be setting personal bests if he goes for his 7th Commonwealth Games aged 44 but I doubt if he can even think about such a thing at the moment!   ML

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