Beginning our 14th year and 1,200+ postings. A blog for athletes and fans of 20th century Track and Field culled from articles in sports journals of the day, original articles, book reviews, and commentaries from readers who lived and ran and coached in that era. We're equivalent to an Amer. Legion post of Track and Field but without cheap beer. You may contact us directly at irathermediate@gmail.com or write a comment below. George Brose, Courtenay, BC ed.
Once Upon a Time in the Vest
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
V 8 N. 52 Some Kids are Really Showing the Veterans a New Twist on the Sport
Youth is having its day. Mondo Duplantis in the polevault is setting the world on its ear with his elite jumping. Now the Ingebrigtsen family out of Norway is destroying the age group records in miling. Three boys in this family, two of whom went 1-2 in the 5000 meters at the European Championships this summer. The Kenyans and Ethiopians have also supplied some very young fellows to the world scene. Sydney McLaughlin has been showing the way in the 400IH on the world scene as well. There is another youngster in Sant Rosa, CA who is currently lighting up the miling records for the very young age groups. Daniel Skandera seems well on his way, but he is going to have to make some incredible jumps once here reaches the tender age of 16. Not many can make the leap going from a very young age and staying with the sport until they mature enough to compete at the international level. So many other factors can come into play with a ten year old who seems to be well ahead of the curve. We'll have to wait and see.
Ten year old Daniel Skandera continues to take his miling times to new levels. July 24th at the 2018 Summer Track Series at Cardinal Newman Daniel again lowered his world record down to 4:46.6. Thats equal to a 4:45.18 for those more familiar with the 1600m. He had already become the youngest runner to ever break the five minute barrier and his newest mark was even faster than any 11 year old has ever done to claim that record as well. Older brother Abraham didn’t compete in the race possiblly because he’s getting ready to start School at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
1 MILE
5 years 6:33.3 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 23 Jul 13
6 years 5:44.5 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 5 Aug 14
7 years 5:20.3 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 9 Jun 15
8 years 5:12.1 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 9 Aug 16
9 years 5:02.5 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 27 Jun 17
10 years 4:46.6 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 24 Jul 18
11 years 4:46.6 Daniel Skandera USA 2 Nov 07 Santa Rosa CA 24 Jul 18
12 years 4:36.80 Jeremy Kain USA 18 Aug 04 Los Gatos CA 13 Jul 17
13 years 4:29.0 Andrew Barnett GBR 22 Jun 55 London 1 Jun 69
14 years 4:19.73 Ryan Silva USA 27 Jun 95 Portland OR 12 Jun 10
15 years 4:08.8 Jim Arriola USA 10 Jun 58 Long Beach CA 1 Jun 74
16 years 3:56.29 Jakob Ingebrigtsen NOR 19 Sep 00 Oslo 15 Jun 17
17 years 3:52.28 Jakob Ingebrigtsen NOR 19 Sep 00 Eugene OR 26 May 18
18 years 3:52.28 Jakob Ingebrigtsen NOR 19 Sep 00 Eugene OR 26 May 18
19 years 3:51.3 Jim Ryun USA 29 Apr 47 Berkeley CA 17 Jul 66
The following article appeared in The Guardian (UK) recently
Jakob Ingebrigtsen (right) celebrates with his older brother Henrik, who finishes second in the men’s 5,000m final. Photograph: Felipe Trueba/EPA
The 17-year-old Jakob Ingebrigtsen made history for the second night in a row to claim a European 5000m gold – less than 24 hours after he had become the youngest athlete to ever win the 1500m title.
Once again the extraordinary Norwegian led from the front before powering away from his older brother Henrik to win in a European under-20 record of 13:17.06.
“It’s a little crazy to get this medal,” he admitted, having become the first man to ever win both titles in the same event. “I’m 17 years old, and already have two European titles at senior level. It is huge.” Such was Jakob’s confidence, he even tried to high-five his brother during the race. As the 27-year-old Henrik joked afterwards: “I was there when he was born, but I’m not sure he is 17 though because he is crazy good.”
The Frenchman Morhad Amdouni, who took bronze, was even more effusive: “Jakob is unbeatable at the moment. He was so much stronger than me.”
With such talent in the family – a third brother, Filip, pulled out of the final through injury – it’s perhaps surprising that the Ingebrigtsen parents have no background in athletics. Instead they were fisherman and famers, who got their sons involved in athletics by chance.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen laps up the crowd’s applause as he comes down the home straight. Photograph: Andy Astfalck/Getty Images
Something is clearly working, for Filip and Henrik were already European champions before Jakob turned up. The youngest Ingebrigsten already runs 85 miles a week and last year he became the youngest person to run the mile in under four minutes, aged 16. But with every performance he gives the impression that his talent is endless.
“Winning a second title in two days is the result of having done this my whole life,” explained Jakob. “Unfortunately, my other brother couldn’t be here today because he broke a rib, and this is completely out of his control. Believe me, we started preparing for the 5k final, as soon as we crossed the line on the 1500m last night.”
And the warning for the rest of the world is that there is another member of the clan too. Explained Henrik: “Right now, Jakob has two medals, and Filip and I have one each. We’re definitely coming back to improve the stats in our family. There are no limits for us, and we have another brother who is turning five years old, and soon can join the Ingebrigtsen team.”
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