Drew Bell wows ‘em at World Senior Games – wins World Championship
MADISON – Drew Bell recently returned home totally exhausted from a 10-day trip to participate in the Huntsman Senior World Games in St. George, Utah. While among the world’s elite master’s track and field athletes, Bell won one gold medal, three silver medals, and one bronze medal and finished fourth in two additional events earning ribbons for his efforts, and All-American status in all seven races, which he also set new personal records in each.
“I used to give in to being tired and my fatigue, but in these events I’m not sure how I was able to get through them as I was spent after each race,” said Bell. “My mind was good and that led me to not give in as I went into each race wanting to have fun.”
The 60-year old Bell, retired from his 38 years in education including his last stop at James Clemens High where he headed up the track and cross country programs, currently works part-time at Running Lane in Huntsville. The store owners utilize his knowledge to help customers and allow Bell to set his own schedule and time off for his athletic endeavors.
At the Senior World Games, Bell put on a show for all to see. Over the 10-day race schedule, he completed the races with extraordinary success in the 6064 age division.
• 800-meter: Gold Medal, 2:28.51
• 4.2-mile trail race: Silver Medal, 32:19
• 5K road race: Silver Medal, 19:41.60
• 10K road race: Silver Medal, 40:17.30
• 1500-meter: Bronze Medal, 5:13.86
• 3000-meter: Fourth Place, 11:47.65
• 4×100 relay: Fourth Place “I totally changed my eating habits and dropped 17 pounds since last year’s World Championships as I feel I can sprint and hold distance runs,” said Bell, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs in at 143 pounds. “Since I began participating in world class events I have found its more than about me, it’s the relationships I have made through the years that makes all of this work worth my while. Praying and fasting, that’s what I did and I’m not the same person. Most people I have met tell me I look good, fit and strong. I do know the common bond I seem to have with the elite athletes who participate in these special events is Jesus Christ. We often pray together.”
Let’s take a look at his seven events: 800-meter: “The race went out slow, which allowed me to have a vicious ‘animal’ kick at the 300-meter mark. I closed down the final 100 meters and won by three seconds over Timothy Vigil, one of the top performers at the World Games year after year.”
4.2-mile Trail Race: “I ran 30 seconds faster per mile on a harder course this year through desert and mini-mountain rolling hills. I finished third overall out of all age groups, second in my age division.”
5K Road Race: “I ran one minute faster than I did on the same course last year. Afterwards, I finally had French toastbacon-eggs for first time in eight months and savored every bite.”
10K Road Race: “Perfect weather of 50 degrees in Snow Canyon, Utah and was my last race of the World Games. I completed the course almost two minutes faster this year. This was my fastest 10K and proud to place second in the world, though I won the World Championship a year ago.”
1500-meter: “I finished just four seconds from winning the gold as I closed on the leaders in the last 200 meters. Special thanks to my friend Timothy Vigil who set the standard in our sport. I love my running with friends.”
3000-meter: “I took it out hard though Tim and a couple other runners eased passed me at the 600-800 marks. I closed back down missing a medal finish by eight seconds.”
Bell’s efforts through the last few years have been nothing short of astonishing. He is World Champion in two events (10K Road Race, 800-meter), 15 All-World finishes and 83 times All-American. Upon leaving Utah, he made a short stop in Minnesota to visit his daughter and grandkids, and while there, joined in a one-half marathon race where he won his age division in front of his wife, daughter and grand kids.
His excursion to Utah included visiting Zion National Park known for its massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink and red colors that have been featured on thousands of movies and television programs. Bell also walked the famed river walk and its narrow hike through walls of sandstone and visited the nearby Zion Cannon Hot Springs known for its array of minerals of 32 natural hot springs and 16 soaking pools.
“Using a fitness-type calculations, I have improved 352-perfect the last two years and my goal is to win a world title in every single race before I meet Jesus,” added Bell. “I need to focus on those races I haven’t won. Right now, I do it all and I need to pull back.”
Bell will soon take to more race efforts as he’s scheduled to run in the USATF Masters 5K Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 7 at Huntsville’s John Hunt Park, be the Alabama representative as the Athlete of Alabama at the USATF National Meeting in Portland, Oregon in December and is planning on additional big race events for 2027.
