Certain athletes across sports such as Tom Brady or Jack Nicklaus have defied Father Time, and continued to compete at an elite level throughout their 40s and 50s. It is another thing entirely to accomplish what Pittsburgh native Charles Allie has done, which is to sustain his performance well into his 70s, an age where most ordinary humans feel fortunate to be mobile at all. Combining indoor and outdoor track & field competition, Allie currently holds an astounding sixteen total Masters world records across a variety of age groups, including the men’s 70-74 year-old age group records for 200 meters (25.75 seconds) and 400 meters (57.26 seconds). In early 2018, Allie set three indoor records at the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, which will host the USATF Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships, scheduled for March 18th-20th, 2022.

“I set my goals high and have great confidence in the way I train and compete,” said Allie. “My experience is also an added plus for me.”

Allie had been looking forward to returning to The Armory to compete at the USATF Masters Indoor Championships. However, shortly after interviewing for this story, he received some frightening news. Allie was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and began receiving radiation therapy at the end of November. The cancer was detected early, and his doctors have given him a promising outlook, suggesting that he should continue to train throughout his treatments. 

Whether or not Allie ultimately returns to competitive racing, his legacy is secure as one of the greatest Masters track & field athletes of all time. Allie was a solid athlete in high school and college, but it was not until he began Masters competition after turning 40 that he discovered he had slowed down far less than his contemporaries. He eats a healthy diet, keeps his workouts simple, and emphasizes rest.

“Set goals based on what you can expect to be your end results. Properly prepare and discipline yourself by putting in the time and hard work to achieve your goals,” said Allie, offering his advice to a younger athlete. “Continue to be active and positive as you train and compete, compete as often as you can, and have fun throughout the process.”

While this is surely sound guidance for an athlete at any level, a yeoman’s work ethic alone cannot explain Allie’s mind-boggling longevity. He was once given a full-body medical test by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the results of which left the examiners “really impressed.” In a New York Times profile of Allie, Michael Joyner of the Mayo Clinic detailed how Allie’s performances put him on the very edge of the aging curve, where performance typically declines around six percent per decade. Perhaps most striking is how Allie has managed to avoid virtually any major injuries over his entire career. Given the explosive movements and extreme neuromuscular demands of sprinting, it is nearly impossible to age this gracefully, but Allie has pulled it off.

“My fast-twitch muscle was graded at 73.7 percent, and my metabolic body fat was 12.7 percent,” said Allie, expanding on the results of the study. “These findings lean towards my longevity and quickness on the track.”

Off the track, Allie is a devoted educator, teaching industrial arts at various Pittsburgh-area middle schools for 35 years. He retired from teaching in 2007. However, he continues to serve as an assistant coach for the Nadia Track Club, an organization of which he is one of the founding members. A natural mentor, Allie shares his knowledge across generations with the club’s youth athletes, some as young as six, even running alongside them in workouts. He met his wife Jackie in middle school, and the couple has been together ever since. Jackie is also a former educator, with over 28 years of teaching and administrative experience in the Pittsburgh public school system.

“I am very proud of the fact that I chose to become a teacher,” said Allie. “This rewarding and fulfilling career provided me the opportunity to help build and shape youth to become successful and positive members in society.”

“I was always cognizant of the value of education, and how our kids often have limited opportunities for growth and success. My own path had its challenges as well. After graduating from high school, I wasn’t highly recruited for any athletic scholarships even though I was an all-city running back and a track sprinting champion. My options were either to be drafted into the military during the Vietnam War, or to get a job in a Pittsburgh steel mill. My heart was set on going to college to become a teacher and coach. Thankfully, I was able to attend Hampton University, earn a track scholarship, graduate and return to Pittsburgh to teach.”

“I am so thankful I was able to make the most of my opportunities and make a difference as an educator. I applaud all teachers whose passion is to educate, mentor, and coach our youth.”

Whether or not we end up seeing Allie at the USATF Masters Indoor Championships in March, he will be on everyone’s mind as the entire Masters track & field community wishes him the best as he battles these new health challenges. On and off the track, Charles Allie has constantly raised the bar for excellence, passion, humanity, and sportsmanship.

For the first time, any athlete ages 25 and over can compete at the USATF Masters Indoor Championships. For more information about this meet that will also feature many other inspiring athletes from all walks of life, please click HERE.