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(thanks for information provided by Tom McGlynn and USATF Communications) 6/4/2007 Contact: Mark Winitz Pacific Association/USATF Communications Manager Sorensen Betters Masters World and U.S. Records for 1,500 Meters (June 4, 2007) Jim Sorensen of San Leandro, Calif. became the fastest master (over 40 years-old) competitor in history for the 1,500-meter distance at the Jim Bush Invitational/USATF West Regional Track & Field Championship at Occidental College in Los Angeles last night. Sorensen's mark of 3 minutes 44.06 seconds bettered the official men's age 40 to 44 outdoor world record of 3:46.7 set by David Moorcroft of Great Britain in 1993. Sorensen's time also is under the current men's age 40 to 44 U.S outdoor record of 3:49.82 set by John Hinton in 2004. Sorensen's marks are considered pending records until they are validated by USA Track & Field and World Masters Athletics (WMA). Sorensen has rewritten masters record books since he turned 40 on May 10th this year. On May 12th at the Occidental Invitational he ran 1:51.57 for 800 meters, bettering the U.S. outdoor M40-44 record of 1:52.42 set by 4-time Olympian Johnny Gray. He now has his sights on the masters outdoor records for one mile. Moorcroft holds the world outdoor mile record of 4:02.53. Tony Young holds the current U.S. standard of 4:09.61. Sorensen, a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was the 1996 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials men's 1,500-meter runnerup. He holds lifetime personal bests of 1:47.24 (800 meters). 3:38.65 (1,500 meters), and 3:59.16 (mile). He is sponsored by The Sports Basement of San Francisco. Sorensen currently teaches physical education at Bancroft Middle School (San Leandro, Calif.). ____________________________________ From Tom McGlynn - 5/28/2007 Former Farm Team runner, Jim Sorensen turned 40 years-old on May 10th and two weeks ago broke the US Masters Outdoor 800m Record formerly held by Johnny Gray when he ran 1:51.57 at the Occidental Invitational. Next weekend at the Jim Bush Invitational (Sunday, June 3rd) Jim will attempt to break the US Masters and World Masters Record in the 1500m. He has to run 3:46.43 to beat Tony Young’s American Record and 3:44.89 to better the World mark held by Louis Jose Gonzalez. Jim is a middle school physical education teacher at Bancroft Middle School in San Leandro where he lives. For complete stories go to these links: |
