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Tommy Hughes breaks M60 half-marathon world record, runs 1:11:09

Hughes added to his impressive running resume with a new M60 world record

All eyes were on Mo Farah on Saturday at the Antrim Coast Half-Marathon, but the most impressive result of the day came from 60-year-old Tommy Hughes, who shattered the M60 half-marathon world record, finishing in 1:11:09. The previous record was held by Martin Rees, who ran 1:11:29. 

RELATED: Mo Farah wins Northern Ireland half-marathon, falls short of British record

Hughes, the Irish runner who turned 60 in January, has run a 2:27:52 marathon, also a world record for his age. While Hughes’ times continue to be extremely impressive, he has a long history in the sport and even competed in the marathon at the 1992 Olympics, where he finished 72nd. His lifetime personal best is 2:13:15 from the Marrakech Marathon. 

With his son Eoin Hughes, he broke the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon by a father and son at the 2019 Frankfurt Marathon. Tommy ran a blazing 2:27:52 and Eoin ran 2:31:30 for a combined time of 4:59:22, two minutes and 50 seconds better than the previous record of 5:02:12, set in 2015 by Graham and Ben Green. 

Hughes also ran an impressive 5,000m, clocking a 16:47.59 just one week ago, which is pretty remarkable range. 

RELATED: 1992 Olympic marathoner and son break world record at Frankfurt Marathon (unofficial)

Farah won the race on Saturday, but he had to work for the victory, finishing just 12 seconds ahead of second place in a time of 60:31. While he had a good day, Farah didn’t accomplish his ultimate goal of breaking his own British half-marathon record of 59:32. 

On the women’s side, Lily Partridge won the event in a Northern Ireland all-comers’ record of 71:36. 

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