Rookie Rick Lee Bags American 60-64 AG Record #2: 50M

Watch out, Energizer Bunny!  There is a new electric power source in town.  His name is Rick Lee, and this Shore AC rookie can motor!

Just last month, Rick blew away the American men’s 50-kilometer record in the 60-64 age group.  This past July Fourth weekend, to show that he’s no one-hit wonder, he mowed down the American male 60-64 AG record at the 50-mile distance.  That’s right, two national records in two months!

Rick’s playroom for his latest national record was Hainesport, New Jersey.  Billed as the “Hundred and 24-Hour Endurance Run”, it consists of loops around a 1-mile paved trail.  While one might assume that Rick made child’s play of the course, he reports that its winding turns wreaked havoc on his knees and lower back.  He set a torrid 7:15-per-mile pace for the first 30 miles, giving him a cushion of more than 20 minutes on the American 50M record.

However, after changing shoes at 32 miles, Rick felt his batteries weakening and forward speed decreasing.  It was then that news of his assault on an American record spread, and spectators as well as other runners on the course began cheering him on.  That thoroughly human sentiment of encouragement worked its magic!  Re-energized by the crowd’s spirit, Rick powered through the remaining miles and the throbbing pain.

When Rick roared through the timing chute on lap 50 in 6:27:30, he eclipsed the previous American M60-64 age group record of 6:32:37 by 5 minutes!  Note that this was his fifth race in six weeks – a marathon, two 50Ks, a HM and finally this 51-miler.  Bravo to our Perpetual Motion Machine, Rick Lee!!!  


- Thank you for this write up, Scott Linnell 
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