Clare Elms has rewritten the record books again. The 62-year-old British runner clocked 17:45 at the Top Flight 5km in Battersea, London, becoming the oldest woman in history to break the 18-minute barrier for the distance. Her official gun time was 17:48.
She had already held the world W60 5km record — at 18:15. This performance smashed it by more than 20 seconds. If you’re wondering what a good 5km time looks like across the age spectrum, Elms just moved the goalposts for the 60-64 age group entirely.
The run earned her an age grading of 104%. To put that in perspective: age grading compares a performance against the world record for an open-category athlete. A score above 100% means Elms ran faster than what would be expected even of a peak-age elite. Most competitive club runners score somewhere in the 60s.
A Record-Breaker Who Just Keeps Breaking Records
Elms runs for Kent AC and is coached by Stephen Smythe, who has watched her accumulate records for two decades. By his count, she has now set over 50 British, European, or world records or bests.
“As Clare’s coach, I’ve previously seen her set over 50 British, European or world records or bests over the past 20 years,” Smythe said, “and given her ability and quality sessions not been too surprised previously.”
This time was different.
“However, this time I was amazed,” he added. “It seems in the week of her mother’s funeral and the day of her poorly 94-year-old father’s birthday, she was in truly inspired form.”
Elms already holds W60 world records at 1500m, the mile, and 3000m indoors. In 2024 alone, she broke around eight world records and 16 British records, and was named British female masters athlete of the year.
She Didn’t Start Running Until Her 40s
What makes Elms’s story compelling to anyone who laces up a pair of trainers — whatever their age — is how late she came to the sport. She didn’t begin training seriously until her early 40s, after the birth of her triplets in 2000. By most runners’ standards, that’s when you’re supposed to be slowing down.
She’s not alone in discovering running later in life. If you’re thinking about starting running at 50 or beyond, Elms is proof that the window is very much open — and that the ceiling may be higher than you’d expect.
The Battersea result was her fastest 5km in seven years, suggesting she is not in decline. She is still improving. Her coach believes her dedication to quality training sessions is the foundation — but even he was floored by this one.
After the race, Elms responded simply to the wave of congratulations on social media: “Thank you for all your kind comments! This meant a lot to me today!”
