Over four days of competition at the USATF Masters Championships, Jeannie Rice set a three world age group records—in the 1500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
First up was the 5,ooo. In hot conditions in Greensboro, North Carolina, Rice, 75, ran 22:41.46, averaging 7:18 per mile pace for the 5K distance.
She took more than 12 seconds off the previous 75–79 world record, which was 22:53.55, set by Angela Copson of Great Britain last July in Finland.
Rice told Runner’s World in a text message that it was her first race on a track. “This is something new for me, as you know,” she said. “I’m more a distance [and] road runner. But I’m having fun with a track meet.”
Indeed, Rice is famous for her marathon records. As a 70-year-old, she ran 3:27:50 at the Chicago Marathon. A few days after she turned 75 in April this year, she ran 3:33:15 in Boston.
She joked that she did not try to wear track spikes, instead opting for the Nike Vaporfly 2s, the same shoes she wore in Boston.
On Saturday, July 22, Rice ran the 10,000 meters in 46:53.07, taking 3:07 off the previous record, set by Melitta Czerwenka-Nagel of Germany in 2005. Rice averaged 7:33 per mile pace.
And on Sunday, in perhaps the most impressive performance, Rice ran 6:14.88 in the 1500 meters, taking 6 seconds off the previous record, also held by Great Britain’s Copson. The time converts to 6:44 for a mile—for a runner who prefers longer races.
Rice also ran the 400 meters (1:27.90) and 800 meters (3:15.22).
The full results can be viewed here.
Sarah Lorge Butler is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World since 2005. She is the author of two popular fitness books, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
