Best-Selling Author Malcolm Gladwell Runs 5:03 Mile
"The Tipping Point" writer places ninth in 50-54 age group at 35th Fifth Avenue Mile.
By Scott Douglas, Runner's World
Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point and other best-selling nonfiction books, ran 5:03 at Sunday's Fifth Avenue Mile in New York. It was his third consecutive appearance at the race.
Gladwell, 53, placed ninth in the men's 50-54 age group, which was won by Gerald O'Hara in 4:46. According to race organizers New York Road Runners, Gladwell's time is the equivalent of a man in his 20s or early 30s running 4:21.
Gladwell ran 4:54 at last year's Fifth Avenue Mile. But perhaps his running hasn't reached a tipping point of age-related slowing, because he also ran 5:03 in 2013, when he was 51.
In college, Gladwell clocked 3:55 for 1500 meters, which is the rough equivalent of a 4:13 Mile. He was among Canada's fastest teens at 1500 meters, with times of 4:14 at age 13 and 4:05 at age 14.
Gladwell, a staff writer for The New Yorker, he's been running with more structure and dedication since joining the New York Harriers.
In addition to being an ambitious age-group runner, Gladwell is a strong fan of elite racing. During last month's IAAF World Championships, he revealed on The New Yorker's website that he has a photo of 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop as a screensaver on his phone.
