Running News Daily

On August 2, 2025, at the Victoria Belfast Parkrun, 65-year-old running sensation Tommy Hughes clocked  a blistering 17:24 for 5K — tying the official world best for men aged 65–69.

The mark equals the time set by the late Canadian master runner Ed Whitlock, who ran 17:23 25 years ago at age 67. Whitlock’s record has long been one of the most revered in masters running, symbolizing an extraordinary blend of speed and longevity.

Hughes, known for his remarkable consistency and endurance across decades of racing, once again demonstrated that age is no barrier to elite-level performance. His run in Belfast was not only fast but also symbolic — a connection between two generations of masters running legends.

The Victoria Belfast Parkrun, part of the global Parkrun network, provided the perfect backdrop: a fast, flat course and a supportive running community. For Hughes, it was another milestone in a career that has spanned everything from marathons to track distances, and now includes a share of one of the most iconic age-group marks in distance running history.

With Hughes still in top form, the question now is whether he can find that extra second to eclipse Whitlock’s long-standing time — and make the record fully his own.