Pacific Association/USATF age-group standout Hans Schmid (age 72, Greenbrae, Calif., Tamalpa Runners) set a pending U.S. men’s 70-74 age-group record at the Marin Memorial Day 10K (Pacific Association/USATF Championship) in Kentfield, Calif. on May 28, 2012. Schmid’s time of 40:45 bettered the listed record of 41:09 set in 1984 by Alfred Funk.

Here is Schmid’s recount of his race provided via e-mail to Mark Winitz:

“I had no idea what the record was and I didn’t even think about it. I had hoped to run at least a time similar to last year. I knew I was in reasonable shape when I finished 18 seconds faster in last weekend's Bay to Breakers than I did two years ago. Conditions were pretty good today—flat course and cool weather. Some runners complained about the head wind at some spots, but I didn’t really notice it

“I’m not a technical runner, no Garmin, no stop watch. My body usually tells me how to run. Pacing is always a bit of a mystery for me. However, I have run a few PA/USATF races and know who runs at a similar speed as I do. I try not to go out too fast, and keep a steady pace throughout the race. When I get tired towards the end of the race, I tell myself that the guys in front or behind me must be equally tired.

“At the start I tried to keep up with runners that I know are faster than me and usually gradually pull ahead of me. I was actually able to reel in some of these guys and women who had left me in the dust during other races. When I heard the last split time, I knew I might finish better than my tine last year (43:25). I was bone tired at the end, but was able to hold off anyone attempting to pass me once we entered the College of Marin stadium for the final dash to the finish line.”

“Somehow everything came together for me today. I still can't believe that I established a new U.S. record for us old-timers.”

The overall winners of the race were Chris Chavez, (28, Menlo Park, Calif.) in 30:15 and Clara Peterson (28, San Anselmo, Calif.) in 33:33. Peterson’s time was the second fastest ever by a female at the 31-year-old race. April Powers set the women’s race record of 33:26 in 1988. There were 538 finishers in this year’s 10K championship race, and 231 finishers in the accompanying 5K.

U.S. Road Records List

Full Race Results