Archbishop Wood's Gary Martin shatters 1,600 record at PIAA track meet

Daryl Bell, Bucks County Courier Times
·2 min read

Archbishop Wood track and field phenom Gary Martin made his final state title run memorable Friday winning the 1,600 meter run in record-breaking time at the PIAA track and field championships at Shippensburg University.

Martin ran away from the field to finish the event in 4:01.56, which broke the previous mark of 4:07.32 set by Upper Moreland's Drew Magaha in 2011. Martin's time was over the National Federation of High School 1,600 record of 3:59.51 set by Alan Webb of Reston South Lakes, Virginia.

"I went out there looking to run my best," said Martin, who will be running for the University of Virginia this fall. "I'm happy with my time. I possibly could've broken the four-minute mark but I'm OK with what I did."

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Martin and Butler's C.J. Singleton were locked in a battle through the first two laps. Neither runner was backing down from the challenge as they distanced themselves from the field.

Then came the third lap and that's what separated Martin from Singleton. Rounding the initial turn Martin made his move. All of a sudden he was ahead and Singleton was never a bother. Martin kept running hard and had a chance to break Webb's record but he backed it down just a bit on the last 100 yards.

Archbishop Wood senior Gary Martin runs at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022. He finished first, breaking the PIAA record with 4:01.56.
Archbishop Wood senior Gary Martin runs at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022. He finished first, breaking the PIAA record with 4:01.56.

"I was going forward for it and then I stopped," he said. "I knew I had won it. My legs were a little heavy going around third lap and I wanted to protect them."

Martin ran a 3:57.98 at the Philadelphia Catholic League track and field championships on May 18. In doing so, he became the 14th high school runner to break the four-minute mark.

"He went out and won his race," said Archbishop Wood head coach Paul Streleckis. "I'm very proud of him. He was locked in a battle and then he picked out his move and made it. It was beautiful."

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Martin had wanted to open up earlier but Singleton wouldn't give up.

"He's a very good runner," said Martin, who will run in the 4x800 relay and the 800 meter run on Saturday. He already owns the state record in the 3,200. "I tried to get him earlier and he wouldn't give in. I tried again on the third lap and that was it."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Archbishop Wood's Gary Martin shatters 1,600 record at PIAA championship