Ken Irvine equalled the professional world 100‑yard record (9.3 seconds) at a specially arranged event in 1961.

Quick Scoop: When Did Ken Irvine Set “The” Record?

When people ask “when did Ken Irvine set the record,” they almost always mean his famous sprint mark, because his try‑scoring total of 212 was built up over many seasons, not on a single date.

In 1961, a special sprint meeting was organised specifically so Irvine could have a crack at the professional world record over 100 yards.

He won that race and clocked 9.3 seconds, equalling the existing professional world record rather than lowering it, but it became the iconic “record” most often linked to his name.

At the same meet he also won the 120‑yard Dubbo Gift starting a yard behind scratch, underlining just how fast he was compared with other league players of his era.

Key points

  • Year of the sprint record run: 1961.
  • Event: Specially arranged 100‑yard race to target the professional world record.
  • Time: 9.3 seconds, equalling the professional world mark.
  • Same day: Also won the 120‑yard Dubbo Gift from behind scratch.

Mini timeline

  1. Late 1950s–early 1960s: Irvine is already known as a prolific try‑scoring winger and exceptional sprinter.
  1. 1961: Special event is staged; he equals the 100‑yard professional record in 9.3 seconds and wins the Dubbo Gift the same day.
  1. Following years: His speed and 212 first‑grade tries cement his status as a rugby league legend; the NRL’s top try‑scorer medal is now named after him.

“Ken holds the NRL record for most tries (212). The top try‑scorer in the NRL is awarded the Ken Irvine medal.”

TL;DR

Ken Irvine’s famous sprint “record” run happened in 1961, when he equalled the professional world 100‑yard record with 9.3 seconds at a specially arranged race meet.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.