When Chris Deighan speaks to members of the Sacred Heart Crusaders cross-country teams about what it takes to win, he’s speaking from experience.

Deighan not only talks the talk, he also walks the walk. Or, in this case, he can run distances at a good pace.

The head of physical education at the Newmarket school captured the men’s 3,000-metre steeplechase world championship for the 50 to 54 age bracket at the world masters championships in Sacramento, Calif. in July. He was also third in the 1,500m.