Over text, King commented,

“It was unbelievable. So incredibly happy right now. Great conditions and (John) Minen paced me and the crowd cheering… What a day!”

King has always been a strong master’s runner in the area but he usually focused on longer distances and Cross Country. He has struggled for many years with chronic plantar fasciitis issues but has found a sweet spot with heavy cross-training and just enough running to keep him sharp.

King, has been on a tear lately.

Recently he has turned his attention to the mile and has been finding huge success. In April, he ran a time trial on the track and clocked 5:03 and has been consistently improving since then.

In late June, he competed in the virtual Brooklyn Mile and ran 4:57.3 on the road (GPS). With altitude, they adjusted that to a 4:52.0. With Age-grading, that is an incredible 3:52.8 comparable time. That was good enough to score the only Level 10 performance of the event and drew national attention to the local runner. (His time tonight in South Carolina lowers his age-graded best to 3:50.5!)

Two weeks ago, he ran 4:57 in Nashville, TN on the track then returned to Boulder to run 5:10 for the unofficial world mark for the distance on the road. That time was run in at the Pearl Street Mile COVID Rez edition.

What’s next?

King replied “I have no idea. I’m so fit and fast right now, but not sure where to take it. Maybe a 3k?” Whatever it is, it will be great to see where he goes.