News & Releases >> 2004 >> Sep 06 2004
NEWS Sep 06 2004
Ed Whitlock aims to better his remarkable world record at this month's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, September 26th
Toronto (6th September 2004)
Ed Whitlock, the indefatigable Canadian running phenomenon, confirmed today that he is ready to take a run at the remarkable world record he set last Fall on the Toronto Waterfront, when he became the first marathoner on the planet over 70 to go under 3 hours, with a 2:59:10 clocking. He will attempt to do so again on the same course, Canada's flattest, fastest marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront, on September 26th.
And this year, the usually overly-modest and soft-spoken septuagenarian from Milton, Ontario, says "watch out", he is in much better shape than last September!
Many will remember the wild scenes of celebration as the 72-year-old Whitlock crossed the line last year—his face cut and bruised from a fall on his way to the grocery store earlier that week; his body completely spent and leaning to the left as he lurched down the home-straight with the crowd on its feet, the seconds ticking away.
He had entered the race tentatively, saying he wished he had another month's training behind him, and shaken from his bruising fall. When he attended the Press Conference on the Friday morning, he asked to pick up two bib numbers: one for the marathon, and one for the half-marathon, "just in case".
When he crossed the line, his feeling was of joy, but also of relief; "I felt great relief at doing it, finally. That time was never in the bag until I crossed the finish line. I think this Fall was my last realistic shot at it."
Ed's road to the world record had been a 2-year marathon, with many fans such as Joe Henderson sitting on the edge of their chairs...
Whitlock already held the world record as the oldest man to break the
3-hour barrier, which he did at age 69 years, 237 days, at the Columbus
Marathon on 29 October 2000. That day, he ran an amazing 2:52:47.
(see www.runningtimes.com/issues/01mar/whitlock.htm)
After that, Whitlock continued to re-write the record books. He now holds the official world records for 70+ for both 5,000m (18 minutes 33.38 seconds) and 10,000m (38:04.13).
In May 2001 Ed had what in his own inimitable, quiet and modest way he describes as "a disappointment". In his first attempt at a sub-3 hours for 70+, he ran 3 hours and 24 seconds!
Throughout 2002 he was bothered by knee problems that held him back
from another attempt. In an interview done with Lynn Kobayashi in the
Spring of 2003, he was asked the pointed question, "will he make
another run at the world mark?"
"I am beginning to have hopes about trying again", Ed replied,
"but time is not on my side." (see http://members.rogers.com/longboatexpress/Articles/whitlock.htm)
Perhaps encouraged by Fauja Singh, the 92 year-old British Sikh who was also trying to establish a new world record for 90+, of sub-6 hours, on the flat, fast Toronto Waterfront course, Ed made his choice, kitted-up, and pinned on the marathon bib number on a perfect morning for running.
The rest is history. Fauja Singh also achieved his mark, taking more than 30 minutes off the previous world record for 90+, with a 5:40:04. On exactly the same day, 28 September 2003, two more world records were set in Berlin, and Runner's World labeled it "the marathon's greatest day".
And that was supposed to be that. But now, after an excellent, injury-free year, Ed Whitlock is back, and will make another magical attempt at defeating Father Time on September 26th. He feels he has an excellent chance at a 2:58 or better. Fauja Singh will also be back, most-likely to run the Half.
Last year's feast of world records caught everyone a little by surprise—this year we'll all be ready.
Come run with or cheer on Ed Whitlock and Fauja Singh at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, September 26th. Enter at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com
For further information contact:
Dave Reid, Technical Race Director, 416 543 4321
Alan Brookes, Race Director, 416 464 7437