From Fred Vanhala's Front Line Racing Team Newsletter after the Hillsdale Gina Relays in April 2002:

Mike hadn't been on a track since the late 1980s, when most of his competition was still in grade school. When he showed up at the race, someone asked him what team he was coaching. Still, he ran one of the most incredible races I've ever seen.

Mike started off smart. Just like he'd been racing on the track week after week instead of being away for about 13 years. In a huge "fast" heat of about 30 runners, he was second-to-last at 200 meters in a time of 36 seconds. He moved up a couple notches by the 400 and was an even 72.

For the next couple laps, Mike kept passing runners until he was with the lead pack, as high as eighth place and still running perfect splits. He hit the 1600 in 4:42.

He ran the second 1600 also in 4:42 and was looking strong. He maintained contact with the leaders for one more lap before "tailing off" and running "only" 73-, 75- and 76-second 400s on the next three laps, with a finishing 35-second 200. His final time was an amazing 14:54.87.

That would have been the 11th-fastest 5000 masters time in the world, and the second-fastest American time, that year. I'm trying to find a definitive source of master's records, but it looks like 14:41 is the Indoor U.S. best and 14:45 is the outdoor record. Both appear within Mike's reach if he could do a little speed work and find more good competition. No pressure, Mike!

Anyhow, one incredible race by perhaps the best masters runner, now, in the United States.

Note: Scannell, at age 41, improved his 5000 time to 14:52.64 at the 2003 Eastern Michigan University Twilight Meet. MR