Pan American Masters Games Winner- Drew Bell Earns All-Pan American Team Five Times
MADISON- Just when many thought Drew Bell could do no more, the extraordinary 58-year old athlete has carved another notch on the belt of success. Already earning the standings of All-American and All-World in an array of events, Bell recently garnered the positions on the All-Pan American Team in each of his five events at the Pan American Masters Games held in Cleveland, Ohio.
Bell finished among the top eight (All-Pan American) in five events, a Games’ record, including a gold medal performance in the 3000-meter Steeplechase. He also took a silver medal in the 800-meter, placed fourth in the Half-Marathon and was fifth in both the 1500 and 5000-meter events.
“This was the best I’ve ever done and to be able to run and compete with the best in our sport is something special for me,” said Bell, who was among 9,000 athletes representing 70 countries.
Upon flying home from the city which is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bell felt relieved as he was exhausted from competing in five grueling events in eight days. “I felt like I had the flu or COVID as the schedule took a lot out of me. No others raced that much. After arriving back home and back to work, finally I’m back to myself. But I don’t rest for long, as I’m scheduled soon to partake in the World Trail Half-Marathon in Sugarloaf, Maine.”
Bell, the head coach of the James Clemens High cross country and track programs, has been on his personal quest of success for four years and has traveled the world in meeting the goals he has set for himself all the while over coming injuries and health scares during the COVID virus timeframe.
Once arriving in Cleveland, his first race was the 1500 where he finished fifth with a of 5:31.02. On day two, he tackled the Steeplechase, a race he had not competed in since 1987 while attending college. Bell said he had secretly prepped for this event for over a month. He finished the race at 14:51.83 and won the competition by a remarkable 26 seconds over the nearest competitor. “I was stunned and amazed as I had tough competition from athletes from others from across the country and especially athletes from both Brazil and Australia,” said Bell. “I went out quick as I took off just hammering through the course. With two laps remaining, I really thought I had a chance to win.”
Without much rest and feeling sore beyond belief from his previous two days of competing, Bell took to the 5K event (5,000 meter), in 86-degree heat on day three. He was seeded 11th and kept his effort toward his goal of finishing among the top eight with his fifth-place finish of 21:29.91. On day four, he somehow reached deep inside his athletic adrenaline to face the sprint race of 800 meters. As he stepped to the start line, he was seeded eighth and somehow pulled out a marvelous second place finish of 2:52.15.
His built-in-schedule allowed three days of rest and relaxation as he visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Cleveland Guardians baseball game versus the visiting San Diego Padres and went for a marvelous hike along the local waterways with his youngest daughter. He also worked with local physical and massage therapists to keep his body injury free during the trek for the Pan Am Games.
On his last day of competition, Bell was still reeling from his previous events but somehow found the strength through his determination to face the 13.1-mile trek around the city of Cleveland and along the waterways to a tough climb to the finish line of the Half-Marathon. He was overjoyed and thrilled he finished fourth with a time of 1:46:34.
“All my friends had told me there was no way I could compete at this level in all five events, and it took a lot to get up every day,” added Bell.
In March 2025, Bell is planning on competing in the Indoor World Track Championships scheduled to be held in Gainesville, Fla. where he will face even tougher competition in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000-meter events, as well as join in on a 4×800 relay team.
“I will continue to battle,” said Bell.
