Witnessed World Record at Rice This Evening!

It isn't every day that one witnesses a world record being set (up close and personal), but that is what happened during the RunSport/Rice University All-Comers Meet tonight.

In one of the event's many 100-meter dash heats, Houston's Bill Collins covered the distance in a new world record time of 11.41 seconds. You say to yourself, "Wait, doesn't Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin share the world mark in 9.77 seconds?"

They do. But Bill Collins' mark is for all runners 55 years of age and older!

Back in April at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Collins set the World Masters record in the 55+ age group division with a time of 11:50 breaking the former world mark of 11:57 set by Ron Taylor of Great Britain in 1991. (Source: Masterstrack.com)

Since the meet was using FAT (Fully Automated Timing), it is certifiable according to Rice University Assistant Sports Information Director Glen McMicken; however, Collins may choose not to report it even as he believes that he'll be able to break it next weekend at the USATF Southwest Region Masters Outdoors Track & Field Championships.

If you have never heard of Houston's Bill Collins before, here are some online resources about one of the best Senior runners ever:

World Class Talent to Compete at USA Masters Indoor Championships (3/22/06)
Bill Collins Named GeezerJock Athlete of the Year (12/3/05)
Bill Collins - Over 50 and Still Flying by Marc Bloom
Laughing At Father Time and Winning by Black Athlete Sports Network

I was standing in the infield and watched it up close and personal. It was pretty exciting! And the thing is everyone out there knows who he is and I never once saw anything that would given you the impression that he was "proud" of the mark.