Patten Breaks Masters World Record For The 1500m Free -- December 1, 1999

Bobby Patten became the oldest person ever to break 16 minutes for the 1500 meter freestyle when he set a Masters world record for men 35-39 for the metric mile (short course) on November 21 at a meet in Dallas. Patten, 37, stroked the 60-lap race in an astonishing 15:58.20, smashing his own world mark of 16:22.20, set a year ago, by 24 seconds.

Patten's time also bettered the record in the 30-34 age group--16:21.25--held by 1984 Olympian Bruce Hayes.

Patten is coach of the Dallas Area Masters in Texas (DAMIT) Swim Club.