Now for something completely slower: Ken Stone outsnailing 6-year-old

Jude Jefferson (left) with two handicaps — no spikes and short legs. I couldn't overhaul his brother.

From left: 6-year-old, 64-year-old moi, 10-year-old and 64-year-old all being kids. Photo by Bob Betancourt

The older I get, the faster they get — the young’ns I race in San Diego all-comers meets. In previous years, I reveled in smoking 10-year-olds. On Wednesday, at the Summer Nights Series meet at Cuyamaca College near my home, I had no problem with 6-year-old Jude Jefferson in Lane 8. (I was in Lane 7.) But over in lane 5 was Gregory Jefferson (his brother?). I saw him just ahead of me and tried to reel him in. But alas, he beat me 15.14 to 15.40 as fellow 64-year-old Mark Atherton got a masters PR in 15.02. (See results here.)

I was delighted with my time, though — my fastest in nearly two years. (Training more than once a month DOES help, I’ve discovered.)

Also thrilled that I brought along my personal photographer — Chris Stone. My wife of 37 years shot a great series.

In 20 years, when Jude Jefferson is winning Olympic titles, I’ll dredge up these photos to prove I once smoked his butt. Photo by Chris Stone

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About the Author

Ken Stone
Ken has followed track as an athlete, writer and webmaster since the late 1960s, and saw most sessions of track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also attended the 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Trials. He worked for 10 newspapers and now reports for Times of San Diego. Write him at TrackCEO@aol.com or kens@timesofandiego.com. Story tips always welcome!

2 Comments on "Now for something completely slower: Ken Stone outsnailing 6-year-old"

  1. Weia Reinboud | June 24, 2018 at 12:03 am | Reply

    Bottom line: racing is fun! On all levels and all ages.

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