Caltech Professor Runs to Victories on the World Stage

When it comes to the 400-meter dash, the fastest 55-year-old man in the world is a Caltech professor. Yes, you read that correctly.

Chemical engineer Mark Davis, the pioneer known for his work in nanomedicine and chemical synthesis, recently brought home the gold medal for his age division (55–59) in the event from the 19th World Masters Athletics (WMA) Outdoor Stadia Championships held in Sacramento, California.

Wearing a pair of flashy neon-green shoes, Davis, the Schlinger Professor of Chemical Engineering, came from behind to win the race in a photo finish. All told, he earned three gold medals and one bronze at the meet.

"I didn't expect to do so well," Davis says. "I am still on cloud nine."

By running 400 meters (one complete lap around the track) in 55.85 seconds, Davis pulled off a rare feat—he finished the race in the same number of seconds as there are years in his age. Previously, he had told others, including his colleague and Nobel laureate Robert Grubbs, that he hoped to one day achieve the elusive goal.

"It was fun to be able to email Bob and tell him that I finally got there," Davis says.

Leading up to the competition, Davis had thought that his only chance to medal would come if he managed to earn a spot on one of the U.S. relay teams—a longtime dream. His victory in the 400-meter dash, his bronze metal in the 200-meter dash, and his strong showing in the 100-meter sprint put him on Team USA for the 4 x 100-meter and 4 x 400-meter relays. Both teams won gold.

Davis grew up running, even earning a full scholarship to run track at the University of Kentucky. After college he took a long break from the sport. In 2006, his wife, Mary, convinced him to start running again, this time as a Masters competitor (an athlete over the age of 35). 

He attributes much of his success to his training partner, Geoffrey Pittman, a postdoctoral scholar in biology, who he met during a daily run on Caltech's track. "I don't think I could have done this without training for the past year with Geoff," Davis says. Pittman competed for Australia and placed sixth in the 400-meter dash in the division for men aged 35–39 years old.

Davis and Pittman's performances serve as a reminder of the diverse interests held by members of the Caltech community. "There's a stereotype that all scientists do is work," Davis says. "But there are a lot of people here who not only excel at their science but also at other interests. My passion is running fast."