Mile News


96-year-old Mile world record holder: “Keep going”

November 24, 2014

"I outgrew them, I outlived them. I had no competition there so I started looking at the world records and I thought 'Maybe I can do that.'"

By Mia Watkins, AL.com

Runners at CrossPoint's Church's 13th annual 5K gathered around post-race to listen to the wise words of a special guest, 96-year-old Orville Rogers, runner and current holder of 11 world records.

Rogers, a former pilot, said he started running 47 years ago after reading a book by Dr. Kenneth Cooper on the benefits of aerobics.

"I started running the next day and I've run a little over 40,000 miles," he said.

He said he began running competitively with the Dallas Running Club.

"I outgrew them, I outlived them," he said. "I had no competition there so I started looking at the world records and I thought 'Maybe I can do that.'"

After finding a trainer, he racked up 11 world records including  the 800 Meter, 400 Meter, Indoor Mile, 3000 Meter, 1 Mile, 200 Meter and Outdoor 400 Meter.

Rogers said he beat the indoor Mile record by nearly two minutes, clocking 14:39.91 at age 95.

Continue reading at: www.al.com

Tags: orville rogers (4)

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