Archive for June, 2006
Henry Rono aiming for M55 mile world record
A message thread on letsrun.com reports that Henry Rono, the former Kenyan distance great who lives in the United States, is in training with hopes of breaking the masters mile record for the M55 group next year. He turns 55 in February 2007. The listed world record is 4:40.4 by Australia’s Jack Ryan in 1977. […]
June 16, 2006
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Altendorf vaults M60 WR, dedicates jump to prep coach
Good ol’ polevaultpower.com reports another masters vault record. This one is by John Altendorf, whose jump was reported as 3.91 meters (12-10), bettering the the listed WMA world record of 3.90 by Germany’s Herbert Schmidt in 1971 (the oldest masters vault record on the books). John proceeded to dedicate his record to his old high […]
June 15, 2006
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King Carl thinking of M45 race at 2007 masters worlds
Jon Mulkeen of Athletics Weekly, author of the story on Carl Lewis’ comeback intentions, has sent me a longer version of his April report. This one gives important hints on Carl’s comeback plans — namely that he might shoot for the top. “While he did not specify which competitions he will be targeting, the World […]
June 15, 2006
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Carl Lewis and Lee Evans may be joining us on the track
Don’t know how I missed this, but Athletics Weekly in April ran a note saying Olympic legend Carl Lewis was planning to compete again — in masters track. He turns 45 on July 1, 2006. Track & Field News apparently picked up the item as well. But I’ve seen no evidence of Carl running since […]
June 14, 2006
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German masters videos a herky-jerky treat
The German masters site run by RĂĽdiger Hasse has posted dozens of short videos of masters in mainly sprint action. Didn’t see any throws (although I didn’t look very hard.) The videos apparently were submitted by amateurs. Lots of camera movement, bad tracking, etc. But it’s still fascinating stuff — going back to 2001 and […]
June 14, 2006
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Are we in denial? Or is track just our destiny?
Some people can’t figure out why we run, jump and throw past the “good years.” An old Kansas journalist/author friend of mine, Rich Louv, tried to puzzle out why his fellow baby boomers do what they do. Rich’s latest column in The San Diego Union-Tribune raises some fascinating issues. And he says: “Like a lot […]
June 13, 2006
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How many masters will show for Charlotte nationals?
Pete Taylor, the nationals meet announcer, and I have been going back and forth in recent months over how many athletes will compete August 3-6 at the USATF National Masters Outdoor Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. My guesstimate is 1,200. Pete predicts 1,771. He thinks I’m way off, saying, “My sources indicate a VERY high […]
June 12, 2006
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The masters equivalent of Gatlin vs. Powell
Justin Gatlin runs 9.77 to tie the 100 world record on May 12, 2006. Asafa Powell runs 9.77 to equal his own PR on June 11, 2006. It’s one of the greatest rivalries in sport — and certainly in contemporary track and field. Does masters track have anything comparable in sprints? You bet.
June 11, 2006
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Eurovet leaves USATF in the dust on championship records
Sweden’s Ivar Söderlind is my kind of statmeister. (Competent and professional.) He keeps the books for the European Veterans Athletics Association and this week posted a list of meet records for the Eurovets outdoor championships, held in even-numbered years since 1978. Last I looked, USATF had similar resources and personnel, but so far nobody has […]
June 10, 2006
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Merlene Ottey crushes W45 sprint record in comeback
Thanks to the Track & Field News message board, my main source for masters news, we learn that Merlene Ottey at age 46 has run the 100 in 11.94 seconds — into a nearly 8 mph headwind! Her stunning time, easily a W45 world record, is equivalent to an open mark of 10.658 seconds. An […]
June 9, 2006
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