American marathoner CJ Albertson reclaimed the world record in the 50K this weekend with a 2:38:44 effort at the Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run in San Francisco. That’s an average of 5:05 pace per mile for just over 31 miles!
The Fresno, California based runner, who is sponsored by Brooks and coaches cross country at Clovis Community College, previously set the Races & Places in 2:42:30, in a solo effort on a track in Fresno. Since then, several runners have improved the record, including most recently Stephen Mokoka of South Africa, who clocked 2:40:13 at the 2022 Nedbank Runified 50K in Gqeberha, South Africa.
The race in San Francisco took place on a 4.5 mile looped course, with about 150 feet of elevation gain for each lap.
The run was not a goal race, but rather a training run as he prepares for a fall marathon. The next day, according to his Strava, Albertson ran a total of 18.5 miles: 11.56 miles in the morning and 7 miles as an afternoon double.
Shoes & Gear stunts. He is believed to own the fastest ever time for a marathon on a treadmill (2:09:58) and is the world record holder for a marathon run on an indoor track (2:17:59).
But he’s performed well in legitimate races, too, and is one of the top marathoners in the United States. This year, he was 13th at the Boston Marathon in 2:10:23, a personal best, and followed that up with a 2:10:52 fifth-place finish at Grandma’s Marathon in June. He was seventh at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon.
Johanna Gretschel is a freelance writer and broadcaster living in Austin, Texas, who has covered elite track and field and running in all its forms. She contributes to Runner’s World, ESPN, Austin American-Statesman, FloTrack, MileSplit, Women’s Running and Podium Runner. Yes, she has run a marathon!
