Iowa State professor Alan Russell jumped, hurdled, shot put and ran his way to first place in the 1996 National Masters Indoor Pentathlon in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Pentathlon is a competition including five field events: the 60 meter high hurdles race, long jump, shot put, high jump and a 1 kilometer run.

“You’re competing against a table of values,” Russell, a professor of Engineering Fundamentals and Multidisciplinary Design, said. Points are given in each category instead of first or second places.

Russell said the idea is to, “Run fast, jump high. Optimum time is important.”

Precise results and encouraging competitors made the Pentathlon laid-back and less intense, which is what Russell said made him enjoy it.

“It’s an inspiring competition and a lot of great fun,” Russell said. “Everybody’s pulling for everybody else.”

Various age groups competed in five-year increments for the Pentathlon. As the groups increase in age, the scores go down, Russell said. Russell competed in the 45-49 year old men’s division.

“The Pentathlon is like the eighth wonder of the world,” Russell said. “It’s a really great motivator to compete.”

Russell has placed from first place in this year’s competition to seventeenth place in a past competition.

Rex Harvey, an ISU alumnus, also competed in the Pentathlon. He placed second, just behind Russell.

“Rex is a beautiful hurdler,” Russell said of Harvey. “He hasn’t lost for years.”

Russell said he felt honored to just sneak past Harvey. In this year’s Pentathlon, Russell set a new record in the one kilometer run.