New American Record

September 13, 2013

A new American Master's Track Record for the 20,000 meters was set by Linfield College associate head cross country and track coach, Greg Mitchell, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013.  His official time of 1:04:47.16 smashed the old record by more than 3 minutes.  The former record of 1:08:21.5 was set in 2005 by John Metzgar in Jacksonville, FL.

Mitchell (bib #40) being paced through the early laps on his way to the record.

 Mitchell set the record in front of a noisy crowd at the track facility of Linfield College in McMinnville, OR.  The Master's record is for athletes age 40 and older and Mitchell set the new record the evening of his 40th birthday.  A total of five runners competed in the 20k (50 lap) event: Mitchell, Ben Zywicki, 1:04:47.32 (Louisville, CO); Chris McIsaac, 1:13:03.17 (Portland, OR); Brantley Lutz, 1:14:30.86 (Albuquerque, NM); and Cameron Chester, DNF (McMinnville, OR).

"I am thrilled that I got the record," stated Mitchell afterward.  "But having so many friends, family, my athletes, and community members there is what made it truly special.  It's a birthday I won't soon forget!"

Mitchell is an adidas and PowerBar sponsored athlete.  His running accomplishments include a top ten finish at the California International Marathon in 2010 with a time of 2:20:12 and a 34th place finish at the 2010 Boston Marathon (2:24:15).  Mitchell graduated from Linfield in 1995; his collegiate career included two conference crowns and two runner-up finishes in the 10,000 meters, as well as two second-place conference finishes in cross country. He competed in three cross country and two track and field national championship meets as a Wildcat.

Celebrating the new American Master's 20,000 meters record.
L-R: McIsaac, Chester, Mitchell, Lutz, Zywicki