Someone in a different thread recently reminded me that there are tables to compare performance at different ages, and at different distances. (Google "Runbayou" or "age grading running" to find on-line calculators.) I have a friend at work whose son has run a couple of Mississauga half marathons, and whose times beat mine by several minutes. He is 30 years old, jock type, used to play lacrosse at the professional level for Hartford and Phoenix. He is really too big for distance running, 6'2" and strongly built, but ran 1:40 recently, about 10 minutes faster than my best effort. But since I am 57 my time is about 1:32 after age grading, so I've got him! What a sissy runner! Imagine getting beaten by an old guy who's going to get a senior's discount on his bus fare in a couple of years! Simon.

I did a age graded 4 miler last year, all awards were by age grading, there were 62 runners & I finished #31 actual & #31 after age grading. I told the director that I should get the I acted my age award. I never have seen so many fast guys over age 55 in one race. Two were nationally ranked in their age group, but they're just local guys, there weren't any money awards.