1 week Ago By Claremore Daily Progress, Okla.
At 92 years old, Dean Powell may not sprint like he did in 1952.However, when he stepped onto the Andy Payne Track on Saturday, he carried with him more than just momentum — he carried a legacy.The Chelsea native completed the 1,600-meter fun run — four laps around the Claremore track named after legendary ultramarathoner Andy Payne — as part of the Andy Payne Route 66 Race.
It was Powell’s first official race, and he admitted the first lap was quick before his legs reminded him of the time gone by.“I got pretty tired, really,” Powell said. “But I slowed down quite a bit.
”Still, like the Foyil legend he came to honor, Powell didn’t stop until he crossed the finish line.Powell, a 1952 Chelsea High School graduate, was a multisport standout in his day, excelling in football, baseball and basketball. He claims to hold the school’s yards-per-carry record with an astonishing 11-yard average on 211 rushing attempts (2,321 yards) — a mark that may never be broken.
The Progress reached out to Chelsea High School to verify the record but did not receive an answer before press time.Following high school, Powell played football for two years for the U.S.
Naval Academy during a four-year college stretch and later worked for McDonnell Douglas — a former aerospace manufacturing corporation and defense contractor — before retiring in July 1995 at age 62. In the nearly 30 years since, Powell has kept himself sharp and spry by staying active — a habit he credits for his longevity.“I just do a lot of fishing and hunting,” Powell said with a grin, looking every bit the athlete who once ran wild under Friday night lights.
“I used to walk a lot, but I haven’t in recent years.”His presence at the Andy Payne Route 66 Race underscored the event’s connection to Oklahoma’s enduring running heritage. Just as Payne etched his name in history by running 3,422 miles to win the 1928 Trans-Continental Footrace, Powell proved that athletic pride and determination never age out.
Whether he was breaking tackles in Chelsea or crossing the finish line in Claremore, Powell’s story is a reminder that legends come in many forms — and some still lace up their shoes at 92..
