Masters Relay Team Sets 4x800 National Record
A men's 80-84 relay team from Nevada and California ran 16:28 at a Santa Barbara meet on Oct. 18.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Running
A men's 80-84 4x800-meter relay team set a national record at the Sierra Gold Track Club meet in Santa Barbara on Oct. 18. The team finished in 16:28, beating the previous mark by 1 minute and 9 seconds.
Why it matters
The performance marks the team's second record-breaking run this year, following its indoor 4x400-meter relay record in Reno. It highlights competitive masters running in the Sierra region.
The team finished in 16:28, a margin of 1 minute and 9 seconds over the prior national record. Earlier this year, the same group ran 6:58.24 in the 4x400-meter relay at an indoor meet in Reno on Jan. 31.
The players
Sierra Gold Track Club
A Sierra-region track club that hosted the Santa Barbara meet where the record was set.
Al Shook
An 86-year-old Gardnerville runner who previously lived in Nevada City for about 20 years and is a member of the record-setting relay team.
The details
The four-member team ran the 4x800-meter relay at the Sierra Gold Track Club meet after replacing injured member Billy Wilson. Team members include Al Shook, 86, of Gardnerville, Frank Seman, 84, of Minden, and Nevada City residents George Husaruk and John Darlington.
Timeline
Jan. 31, 2026: Team broke the 4x400-meter relay record in Reno.
Oct. 18, 2026: Team set the 4x800-meter national record in Santa Barbara.
Season Trajectory
The record extends a run of national-level performances by this 80-84 relay group, which has now set two records within a single year. Such results add to the competitive standards that masters athletes measure themselves against across the sport.
The record places this 80-84 relay team at the top of national masters standings for the event. Runners tracking masters relay results can use the 16:28 mark as the new benchmark for the 4x800-meter age group.
The takeaway
Masters athletes continue to push performance standards well into their eighties, and this relay shows what coordinated team training can achieve at that age. Readers following age-group competition can watch for how the new national mark is challenged in future meets.
Further reading
Explore more running news from across California's track and road racing scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Record-Courier.
