Frederick, MD [July 14, 2025] — Two weeks after setting a new American masters record in the 4x800m indoor relay at the USATF Indoor Nationals with a time of 8:33.50, Frederick Steeplechaser Scott Wallace (45) and his Shadow Project teammates—Jason Abbot (46), James Coates (45), and Mark Walchinsky (46)—went one step further, shattering the world masters record with a time of 8:24.01.
The team had entered the USATF Indoor Nationals in Gainesville, FL, aiming to beat the standing world masters record of 8:27.08. Despite a year of preparation and after organizing the proper conditions for record verification, the day of their event on Friday, February 21, 2025, would not be the victory they hoped for. While setting the American masters record was a great accomplishment, it fell short of their ultimate goal.
Determined to make another attempt before the indoor season rolled over to outdoor season in April, the team discovered an open call for participants in the inaugural indoor track meet hosted by the Philadelphia Runner Track Club at the Ott Center in Philadelphia, PA. The event presented a rare second chance, and the team rallied to register and organize the proper parameters again—including witnesses to the record attempt and ensuring the meet would be recognized by USATF.
“You come together when it’s time for a meet, and there’s a sense of accountability and training,” Coates said of his Shadow Project teammates. “You’re out there by yourself for long miles and running is not the most fun team sport all the time. So having that sense of accountability and knowing that you’re doing it for a reason, and when you show up and there are three or four other guys who put just as much intensity into it and are ready to try and do something special with you, it does keep you motivated to some extent.”
Slated for the final race of the meet on March 8, 2025, excitement was high and nerves were higher. Organizers of the event helped market the world record attempt to attendees and build the hype surrounding it. A last-minute schedule shift led to a chaotic start, though, with the team scrambling to the start line.
With pacers by their side, the starting gun sounded and the race started. Walchinsky led the first leg, followed by Abbot, Wallace, and Coates. During Abbot’s second leg, he was faced with the decision to abandon his pacer—who was not running at the correct time or speed—or trust in the young runner and hope for the best.
Following his instincts, Abbot broke away, delivering a crucial lap time that kept the team on world record pace. The Shadow Project masters relay team broke the world masters record for the 4x800m relay with a time of 8:24.01.
“Consistency is the most powerful and important thing, and the biggest barrier to consistency is overdoing it,” Abbot said. “Keeping it manageable and keeping it something that you can enjoy, something that you can make a manageable part of your day–to–day so you can maintain that consistency, that’s the most important thing.”
Now, the team awaits official USATF ratification, which will confirm their place in the record books.
About the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club
Founded in 1975, the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that promotes running for fitness, friendship, and athletic development. With members ranging from beginners to elite athletes, the club offers training programs, races, social events, and volunteer opportunities for the Frederick community and beyond. For more information about the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, training programs, and upcoming races, visit www.steeplechasers.org.