BOSTON -- A world record in the men’s 1500 meters highlighted two exciting Masters exhibition races Sunday at USATF Indoor Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center on the campus of Roxbury Community College.
 
Anselm LeBourne (Maplewood, New Jersey) ran 4:13.77 in the 1500 meters to break the previous M55 World Masters Record of 4:21.94 set by Pierre Faucheur in 2010. LeBourne finished seventh overall and with great satisfaction.
 
“I just gave it all I had,” he said. “It’s so fun to run with these guys, guys like John Trautmann who have been in the Olympics. These guys motivate me. I’m the oldest guy in the race. I can’t ask for more. I’m really happy, and there is no substitute for hard work. You have to work hard and I'll keep doing that.”
 
LeBourne also holds the M55 age-group world records in the 800m (2:01.60), 1500m (4:19.80) and the mile (4:37.05)
 
Finishing first overall and taking the title in the men’s exhibition event was 1992 Olympian in the 5,000m John Trautmann (Morristown, New Jersey), who completed the 1500m in 3:59.47 on his attempt to break the M45 World Masters record of 3:57.91 set by Tony Young in Boston in 2009.
 
“I wanted to get the record, and I got out after it. I think I was on pace for maybe the first half, and then I kind of let it go a little bit in the third quarter,” said Trautmann. “I was tired; it’s tough. You know it’s a world record, and it’s great. I know Tony has it, and he set it in this meet. He did it, but I couldn’t match his feat. Hopefully I can keep trying.”
 
Four Masters women competed in 300m with Kathryn McManus (Mamoroneck, New York) claiming the first place finish in 42.27.
 
“I just tried to go as fast as I could,” said McManus, who celebrated her 40th birthday with the win. “I didn’t really have a race plan, per se. The track is so fast.The crowd was wonderful, and it’s great to be celebrated here.”
 
Emmanuelle McGowan (Hanover Park, Illinois) was second in 42.68; Latrica Dendy (New York, New York) was third in 43.28, and Maurenena Walles (Jersey City, New Jersey) was fourth in 44.62.