Even at 92 years of age, the competitive fire still burns for Dixon Hemphill. The World War II veteran and former collegiate track and field star isn’t content to simply walk a few times around the block. He’s still running. And not just jogging through the neighborhood either. He’s racing competitively.
Hemphill ran at the USA Track and Field masters indoor championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico in mid-February and video of his 60-meter race has gone viral since then. In the event, Hemphill was defeated by 99-year-old Orville Rogers, who beat him by 0.05 seconds. Since then, family, friends and strangers who have seen the video have sent Hemphill many messages applauding his effort. However, he acknowledged the impressive effort of Rogers in winning the race.
“I’m glad he won the race this time,” Hemphill told the Washington Post‘s Kelyn Soong. “Because had I won it, it would’ve been not as much of a deal. That’s news, because he’s got seven years on me. He’s amazing.”
ICYMI: Orville Rogers (99) & Dixon Hemphill (92) faced off in the M90 60m at #USATFmasters!
on demand on https://t.co/OydwxwBrTq +PLUS! pic.twitter.com/V1xtv2oEag
— USATF (@usatf) February 26, 2017
Just about anyone on the planet would say that Hemphill is setting an example for all to follow and is an excellent model of health and fitness. (In addition to track workouts, Hemphill does strength, balance and flexibility training and keeps a healthy diet with the help of his wife.) Yet after losing to Rogers, he believes that there’s room for improvement.
“I just want to run faster than I’m running,” Hemphill said. “My training is not complete. I’m not doing long distance running. I want to add at least two to three miles. . . . Orville Rogers is doing more mileage than me in a week. That’s not right in my mind. I should be doing more. I think it’ll make a difference.”
Competing against an opponent real or imagined is what gives many elite athletes their edge. Think of Michael Jordan exaggerating some perceived slight to motivate him against a particular team or player when he was already the best basketball player on Earth. Orville Rogers has become the opponent Hemphill must defeat, perhaps the extra incentive he needs to train harder.
The two will have a rematch this July at the USA Track and Field masters outdoor championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rogers has actually defeated Hemphill in three consecutive 60-meter dashes at the indoor championships. But Hemphill sounds like he’s ready to break that losing streak. Cue the Sammy Hagar.
