The Houston Elite Team of Charles Allie (63) George Haywood (57) Bill Collins (59) and Horace Grant (57) set a new world record in the 55-59 age group in the mile relay with a time of 3:40.46. The old record of 3:43.59 was set back in 2007 in Riccione, Italy, at the Outdoor World Championships by the British National master’s team. This feat shows how strong the club team of Hoston Elite is running, the combined ages average 59 years per runner. When the British team set their record they all had just turned 55 years of age that year.
Houston Elite later this year will see if they can lower that record because two athletes feel they can run better. Horace Grant who set the world indoor 800 meter record in a time of 2:07.05, was dealing with an inner ear infection, and feels he can run about a seoncd and a half better, George Haywood is coming off of hamstring and knee problems, he had not been able to train well this winter and feels he can run about two seconds better. This team has been together now going on eight years, next year we will see two of the legs move to the sixty year age group, leaving two spots open for next year at Penn relays in the 50-59 age group, and we have some great talent coming up, so this group will not miss a beat.