55-year-old runs sub-5:00 mile for 42nd consecutive year

Steve Spence has one heck of a run streak going. And the streak continues for another year.

The 55-year-old who won bronze at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics ran one mile (1,609m) faster than five minutes for the 42nd straight year last week. The 1992 Olympian currently coaches at Shippensburg University in the town of the same name in Pennsylvania.

RELATED: Ontario’s Derrick Spafford reaches 10,000 consecutive days of running.

The streak began in 1976. A sub-5:00 mile equates to approximately 3:06 per kilometre for slightly more than 1,600m. The mile is a lesser-contested distance on the international stage in comparison to the 1,500m.

Video

55-year-old Steve Spence just ran a 4:55.7 mile at North Hagerstown, breaking 5:00 for the 42nd straight year. pic.twitter.com/LO1DnfLg8I

— Andy Mason (@Andrew_M_Mason) June 27, 2017

Spence ran 4:55.7 for the mile on June 27 winning an all-comer’s meet at a local high school. Spence is the father of Neely Spence Gracey, a 2:34 marathoner and 1:09 half-marathoner. “Who’s my favourite runner?” Spence Gracey tweeted out. “My dad! He just ran 4:55 for the win in his 42nd year going sub-5:00.”

I want to achieve great things in the sport, but ultimately, I want to be like my dad and always enjoy running. ??‍♀️https://t.co/K6eVEny0cA pic.twitter.com/nbWgEKaEpg

— Neely Spence Gracey (@neelysgracey) June 28, 2017

Who's my fav runner? My DAD! He just ran 4:55 for the win in his 42nd year going sub 5. #MyHero #PoppaSpence #OldManStrength #WorldRecord ? pic.twitter.com/7K5f0vFkTs

— Neely Spence Gracey (@neelysgracey) June 27, 2017

According to Herald-Mail Sports, Spence went through halfway in 2:29 and came back in a 2:26. He closed the final 400m in 72 seconds and two pacers assisted Spence to help keep him on target. Spence’s streak of mile performances is believed to be the longest of its kind.