60-year-old Yoshitsugu Iwanaha runs 33:39.52 world record 10000m for 60-64 age group in Japan

At the Saga Long Distance Time Trials November 30 at Saga Sunrise Park Field, Aritacho resident Yoshitsugu Iwanaga, 60, ran 33:39.52 to break the 10000 m world record for the men's 60-64 age group. Running alongside athletes bound for the National High School Ekiden and New Year Ekiden his pace was fast from the start. Sustaining a pace around 3:20 per 1000 m, with a last surge he took over 18 seconds off the previous 60+ record of 33:57.6 set in 2013 by a British runner.

"I haven't run that fast before so it was challenging, but I'm glad I was able to get the world record," Iwanaga said afterward. At age 50 when he broke the Japanese men's 50+ national record for 10000 m Iwanaga set out on an enthusiastic pursuit of a world record. In September he broke the 60+ world record for 3000 m and earlier this month did the same for the 5000 m world record, making this his third world record once the certification process is completed. Asked about his future goals Iwanaga said, "To break my own record."

posted Sunday December 6th