The 60-year-old endurance athlete may dread the thought of having to talk about her running skills, but her exploits were impossible to ignore in 2024.
Barely a week went by in 2024 when Claire Elms didn’t break the world or British record in the W60 age group. standards, somewhat disappointed ran “only” 18:35.95: 5000 m.
She was a clear winner, just like your British female mastersAthlete of 2024. Such is his popularity, his 13-minute profile on the athlete. Callum Elson’s YouTube channel it has been watched by over 40,000 people in recent weeks.He’s not done yet either, as a number of races are still scheduled for the end of the year.
Despite this, the 60-year-old remains humble and almost shy about being in the limelight. “I hate talking about myself,” she says, “so I was terrified when I heard you were going to call.”
Elms seems more interested in hearing a sneak preview of his fellow award winners.
Claire Elms (Mark Hookway)
During our interview, he would like to thank the countless officials who have organized or recorded his performances, specifically mentioning Miriam Dority, “She has attended many of my races.”
Elms is also grateful to his kit sponsor, Soar, for showing that age is no barrier when it comes to supporting athletes.
This remarkable endurance athlete started training seriously about 15 years ago after giving birth to triplets. As a youngster she knew she had more talent than most, but at that age she didn’t take up athletics. Instead, she started working in the city before joining Beckenham Running Club to
He believes the fact that he didn’t run much in his youth contributed to the relative freshness he feels in his legs compared to his battle-weary competitors. Even now, Elms rarely trains beyond 50 kilometers a week.
Claire Elms
““I’d say never doing too many miles is the main reason I run well,” he says, “and it’s important to focus on quality sessions. Also, trying to improve gradually without ever overdoing it. You also have to be really determined.” .
Elms has run more than 50 times already this year, holding around eight world records and 16 British records, plus, of course, many campaigns and relays for his club.
Which race is he most proud of in 2024?“3000m at Tonbridge (British 3000m record 10:33.34) and I was obviously delighted to run 4:57 1500m at Tooting.
“It was always windy every time I tried to do something, so it was really nice to have a five-minute break at the end. I also really enjoyed the London Vitality road mile.”
Claire Elms and Terry Booth (Cliff Hide)
Elms turned 60 on Boxing Day last year, but he felt it took him a while to find his form in 2024. “I kind of found myself in shape,” he says of enjoying his best races in August ahead.
Coached by longtime member Steve Smith AW: Tim, who recently retired from athletic journalism, Elms intends to run even faster next year.
“I’m hoping my momentum will pick up next year and I don’t see any reason why I can’t run faster in 2025,” he says the right race… and the right weather!
“I still feel like I haven’t done it in a long time,” he adds. “Especially mixing with people like Steve, who’s been around a lot longer than me are going down, which can be a little sad, but I just have to accept that I’m 60 and that’s what’s going to happen. I still enjoy the sport because all the records have a target and championships that help keep things interesting.”
Elms often finds herself hanging out with 13-year-olds and “feels like she’s old enough to be their grandma.” But she says: “I like the younger athletes better because there’s no pressure. However, if you race well with the masters, they tend to go at a better pace. (You find) the 13-year-olds don’t go as well I’m more stressed about the racers my age because it means more to me to beat them.”
Claire Elms (Gary Mitchell)
The best Claire Elms races in 2024
January 28 – British Masters 3000m, Sheffield, first, 10:48.14 (misses world record by 0.01)
February 2 – Ealing Road Mile, 5:33 (world and UK best)
February 18 – BMAF Championships 1500m, Lee Valley, first
March 17-23 – European Masters Championships, Torun, first in 800m, 1500m, 3000m, individual and team
May 6 – BMC Oxford Mile, 5:30.88 (UK best)
July 17 – Wimbledon Mile 5:26.13 (world record); 1500m split 5:05.04 (UK record)
July 27-28 – BMAF Championship, Derby, First 800m and 1500m
6 August – Tonbridge 1500m, 5:03.95 (British record)
August 15 – Aldershot 1500m, 5:02.22 (British Record)
17 August – Southern League, Ware 800m 2:29.64 (UK Record)
17 August – Southern League, Wear 1500m 5:02.09 (UK Record)
26 August – Tonbridge 3000m 10:33.34 (UK record)
31 August – AC Veterans 1500m Championships, Tooting, 4:57.14 (World and UK record)
September 4 – Tooting Mile 5:25.19 (world and UK record)
September 21 – Westminster Mile 5:21 (world best)
September 28 – Canterbury 5000m 18:35.95 (UK record)
October 26 – Wolverton 5 30:44 (world best)
November 16 – Masters International Cross Country, Belfast, W60 gold
» This article first appeared in the December issue of AW Magazine Subscribe to AW Magazine herecheck out our new podcast! here or subscribe to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
