XtraTime Web Desk: Roy Englert a 96 year old man continues to break records as he currently holds the World Record in the 95 to 99 age group in the 800 meters, 1500 meters, and 3,000 meters (still pending approval), which he ran consecutively in March. He is also a member of the world record 4×100, 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams.
He ran 42:30.23 in the 5,000 meters, unofficially breaking the previous age group record of 50:10.56 held by Frank Levine by almost eight minutes. (Englert’s record is still pending approval by USATF.)
He is the only runner in his age category in 5,000 meter race but, Englert doesn’t seem to mind running alone.
“It’s fun. It’s not fun while you’re doing it, but it’s fun when you’re finished, ” he told Run Washington. “It’s hard work, actually.”
Englert runs about two to three miles a day, mostly on a treadmill a half block from where he lives in the Lake Ridge Retirement Living Community. When it gets closer to race day, he will up his daily mileage to three or four miles, and also incorporate speedwork on an indoor track.
Though many people have labeled Englert as an inspiration, he waves off their compliments.
“I don’t consider myself that much of an inspiration. I’m a slow runner,” he said in the profile. “But I guess I’ve outlasted almost everybody. It gets easier to win when there’s not as much competition around.”
The elder track runner is very much determined as he feels that all runners can keep lacing up their shoes—and even hitting personal best times for their age—as long as they keep at it.