He may be one of Australia’s most remarkable track athletes.
Key points:
- David Carr can run five kilometres in less than 30 minutes at the age of 90
- He has just renewed his passport for another 10 years
- This year he will compete in Poland on an indoor track for the first time
David Carr was recently named best male athlete at the World Masters Athletics championships in Tampere, Finland, where he brought home five gold medals.
In 2022, at a meeting in Perth, he ran one mile in a time of seven minutes, 32 seconds — a speed of about 12 kilometres per hour.
Which may not sound remarkable, until you learn Mr Carr is 90 years old.
His mile mark was just one of six world records he set last year for his age group (90+).
He also set new world marks in the 1,500 metres, 2,000 metres steeplechase, 3,000 metres, 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres.
Last year his best time over five kilometres was 29 minutes, 47 seconds.
Mr Carr fell into athletics as a child when he didn’t make the school cricket team.
It gives him just as much joy now as it did when he was young.
“From there I just developed a real love for running,” he said.
“I think it’s marvellous. And I don’t go to work — this is a career.”
Among the many places track has taken him, Mr Carr has competed in Finland, Spain, Italy, Brazil, England, and South Africa.
He has just renewed his passport for another 10 years, so he can continue travelling for competitions.
“Do I have any plans? Well, the plans will certainly include running at some level,” he said.
“In a few weeks’ time I’m going to the World Indoor Championships. I have never run indoors and never been on indoor track. So I’m going to Poland and I’ll be running [indoors] for the first time my life.”
WA Masters keep on running
With 800 members, Carr is part of one of the country’s largest Masters Athletics clubs.
It’s fair to say Master Athletes Western Australia (MAWA) is punching well above its weight in talent.
Just last week another member broke a world record for the W70 steeplechase.
“All the runners are different ages and abilities,” Mr Carr said.
“And they all find a way to fit into a race.
“That’s enjoyable. They’re all good company, everyone’s a good sport, we help each other, encourage each other. You make a lot of friends.”
‘Athletics is for life’
Anyone over the age of 30 can join masters athletics, with competitions available to those over 35.
MAWA meets three times a week for training, competitions, and general fitness.
MAWA member and executive vice president of World Masters Athletics Lynne Schickert, 81, has been involved in masters athletics for more than 45 years.
“This is something you can do all your life, as you’ve seen with David. He’s 90. He’s amazing,” she said.
“Being able to do it at my age and, and having all these friends helping and inspiring me to jump and run and race walk as they do. Being part of it all.
“It’s a family, a community family here — it’s a very good lifestyle.
“There’s no age limit, our members bring their younger family, the children, and that we hope will show them that this is a whole way of life. There is a saying: ‘From cradle to grave.’
“Athletics is for life.”
Knee reconstruction no barrier
Barbara Blurton broke three world records when she was 70 — all of which were in the 400 metres.
She recently returned to training after having a knee reconstruction.
“I’m just starting to get back. And it’s going to be hard work. But I’m going to try and get there and see what I can do in the next age group,” she said.
“The good thing about Masters is that every five years, you get new challenges, because you’re in a new age group. So there are new times to beat and new records to go for.”
Her favourite part about Masters Athletics is the camaraderie.
“Everyone is helpful to everyone else, you get new people coming and they’re not left on their own. Everyone helps them and asks them what they want to do,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter how late you come into things. There’s always someone there that will help you along. It’s just very friendly.”
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