Herb Kirk
Encyclopedia
Herb Kirk was an American centenarian
. Many of his most accomplishments came well after his retirement.
In 1993, he was the oldest graduate of Montana State University, quite possibly the oldest college graduate of any institution at age 96, with a degree in Art.
He was an avid tennis player. The Herb Kirk Junior Open, held at Montana State University is named in his honor. When his eyesight failed in his 80's he took up running. Since that time, he amassed Masters Athletics World Records
in the M95 800 metres
and Mile Run
. He formerly also held the record for 5000 metres
. At one point in time, Kirk held every American record
between 200 metres
and 5000 metres. From age 85 on, he was the first competitor in each of those age divisions of Masters athletics.
In June 1999, he ran and completed the Governor's Cup 5K
road race, along with four other generations of the Kirk family, which is believed to be a unique occurrence. At age 104 and 6 months, this is believed to be the oldest athlete to compete in an organized running event and second only to thrower John Whittemore
in any athletic event.
Kirk grew up in Pennsylvania
and originally attended Lehigh University
. That education was interrupted by World War I
. He joined the Navy Flying Corps. At age 104, he was given the rank of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honour (Légion d'Honneur) for his service in the protection of France
during the war.
After a successful business career he retired to his wife's home town of Bozeman, where he was active in teaching pottery to nearby Native Americans.
Upon graduating, he was asked to speak. He reportedly ran up to the stage, and concluded his remarks by looking at the reunion group of the class of 1943 (who would have been about a quarter century his junior) and told them "I am really looking forward to my 50th reunion."
When interviewed by Diane Sawyer
of Good Morning America
in 1999, he said about his running "It keeps me in good shape, active, interesting. I wouldn't do without some exercise. I'd be downhill fast."
Kirk's obituary in Runners World read: Herb Kirk, 1895-2001: "On October 3, one day after celebrating his 106th birthday, Herb Kirk, reportedly the oldest man to compete in an organized running event, died of pneumonia. At the Portland Marathon fun run in September 1996, Kirk finished the 2-mile course in about 36 minutes. He set several age group records in his late 80s and early 90s. Herb, a Montana resident, holds world and American records ranging from 200m to the 5,000m on the track. He holds countless single-age records. Kirk was interviewed by ABC's Diane Sawyer and others for a 1999 profile."
Centenarian
A centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
. Many of his most accomplishments came well after his retirement.
In 1993, he was the oldest graduate of Montana State University, quite possibly the oldest college graduate of any institution at age 96, with a degree in Art.
He was an avid tennis player. The Herb Kirk Junior Open, held at Montana State University is named in his honor. When his eyesight failed in his 80's he took up running. Since that time, he amassed Masters Athletics World Records
Masters Athletics World Records
These are the current world records in the various age groups of Masters athletics. Starting at age 35, each age group starts on the athlete's birthday in years that are evenly divisible by 5 and extends until the next such occurrence. For record purposes, older athletes are not included in...
in the M95 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
and Mile Run
Mile run
The mile run is a middle-distance foot race which is among the more popular events in track running.The history of the mile run event began in England, where it was used as a distance for gambling races...
. He formerly also held the record for 5000 metres
5000 metres
The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
. At one point in time, Kirk held every American record
United States records in masters athletics
These are the current American records in the various age groups of masters athletics. Starting at age 35, each age group starts on the athlete's birthday in years that are evenly divisible by 5 and extends until the next such occurrence. For record purposes, older athletes are not included in...
between 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
and 5000 metres. From age 85 on, he was the first competitor in each of those age divisions of Masters athletics.
In June 1999, he ran and completed the Governor's Cup 5K
5K
5K or 5-K may refer to:* Gnome-Rhône 5K, a radial aircraft engine* 5000 metres race* Hifly IATA airline designator* The Five Ks in Sikhism* 2010 debut album by Dutch DJ, Sander Kleinenberg...
road race, along with four other generations of the Kirk family, which is believed to be a unique occurrence. At age 104 and 6 months, this is believed to be the oldest athlete to compete in an organized running event and second only to thrower John Whittemore
John Whittemore
John Whittemore of Montecito, California, has been credited as being the "world's oldest athlete". A long time Masters Track athlete, his last competition was on October 5, 2004, just six weeks before his 105th birthday. He threw the javelin and discus on that occasion...
in any athletic event.
Kirk grew up in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and originally attended Lehigh University
Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a private, co-educational university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the United States. It was established in 1865 by Asa Packer as a four-year technical school, but has grown to include studies in a wide variety of disciplines...
. That education was interrupted by World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He joined the Navy Flying Corps. At age 104, he was given the rank of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honour (Légion d'Honneur) for his service in the protection of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the war.
After a successful business career he retired to his wife's home town of Bozeman, where he was active in teaching pottery to nearby Native Americans.
Upon graduating, he was asked to speak. He reportedly ran up to the stage, and concluded his remarks by looking at the reunion group of the class of 1943 (who would have been about a quarter century his junior) and told them "I am really looking forward to my 50th reunion."
When interviewed by Diane Sawyer
Diane Sawyer
Lila Diane Sawyer is the current anchor of ABC News' flagship program, ABC World News. Previously, Sawyer had been co-anchor of ABC Newss morning news program, Good Morning America ....
of Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
in 1999, he said about his running "It keeps me in good shape, active, interesting. I wouldn't do without some exercise. I'd be downhill fast."
Kirk's obituary in Runners World read: Herb Kirk, 1895-2001: "On October 3, one day after celebrating his 106th birthday, Herb Kirk, reportedly the oldest man to compete in an organized running event, died of pneumonia. At the Portland Marathon fun run in September 1996, Kirk finished the 2-mile course in about 36 minutes. He set several age group records in his late 80s and early 90s. Herb, a Montana resident, holds world and American records ranging from 200m to the 5,000m on the track. He holds countless single-age records. Kirk was interviewed by ABC's Diane Sawyer and others for a 1999 profile."