Archive for December, 2006
L.A. Times takes on the worldwide anti-doping Nazis
Gawd, what took so long!? After years of lapdog inaction, a legit mainstream newspaper has become a snarling watchdog when it comes to the illegitimate system of catching “drug cheats.” The system is bad enough when it comes to elite athletes, but it’s beyond insane when it’s applied to masters athletes — punishing (and tarring) […]
December 10, 2006
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The Rono Chronicles: Henry guts out 5K in Cincinnati
Henry Rono, who turns 55 in eight weeks, tackled a 5K yesterday in Cincinnati, taking third in the M50 age group in 19:20. Race results from Cincy are here: As I’ve noted, Rono’s goal remains running a record mile when he enters M55. Rono’s Jingle Bells race was fodder for the letsrun.com Rono message thread […]
December 10, 2006
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Ageless Pete Magill pushes the M40s in winning M45
Pete Magill turned 45 six months ago, but someone forgot to tell him. At today’s USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in San Francisco, only two M40s beat him to the finish line in the 10K race: Tracy Lokken (32:44) and Danny Martinez (32:51). A second back was Pete, whose 32:52 was nearly 50 seconds […]
December 9, 2006
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USATF officials inject jolliness into official Web site
It’s not true that USATF officials supply the bulk of mall Santas this time of year (despite their tendency to sport bellies of jelly). But they do display Christmas spirit (Hanukkah spirit as well) on their national Web site: a little parody of “Jingle Bells.” “Weird Al” Yankovic it’s not. But it’s nice to see […]
December 8, 2006
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Masters track stars with their clothes on at Indy gala!
We’re so used to seeing our fellow athletes in their skivvies that we don’t appreciate how suave and debonair they look dressed up. Phil Raschker graciously sent some photos she and others took at the Jesse Owens/National Track and Field Hall of Fame induction ceremony at last week’s USATF annual meeting in Indianapolis. Guess they’re […]
December 7, 2006
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National championship patches may be on last legs
The USATF Rules Committee has spoken. We now know the fate of the nearly 20 rules proposals affecting masters track and field. Besides the John Keston rules discussed earlier, we can tick off the results of the other votes. And several might tick you off: Steve Vaitones’ proposal to make national championship patches optional — […]
December 7, 2006
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Battle by the Bay features clash of the masters titans
This Saturday, San Francisco will host the USATF National Cross Country Club Championships. Of special interest to me is the fight shaping up for male supremacy among some trackcentric distance dudes. In one corner is M40 repeat champion Brian Pope of Mississippi. In the other corner is M45 Pete Magill of Southern California. And in […]
December 6, 2006
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Justice for John Keston and his M80 mile world record!
Yes, USATF can do the right thing! With a push from Dave Clingan and allies on the USATF Masters T&F Committee at the Indy convention, some rule changes have been been approved that right a terrible wrong. Remember the uproar over the rejection of a legitimate outdoor world mile record by M80 John Keston in […]
December 6, 2006
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Questions and answers on the new masters rankings
Dave Clingan has clarified some aspects of the new online USATF masters rankings. But the more he shares, the more excited I get. (There’s even a chance of ME making the rankings!) First question: Will meet directors continue to send results from Hy-Tek software or somehow enter results via the interface? Dave replies: “We will […]
December 5, 2006
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2007 rankings system lets you post own marks!
You say ya want a revolution? Well, here ya go. The latest Web miracle for masters has gone online — an American age-group rankings that allows athletes to enter their own marks and see them reflected instantly. It’s based on the honor system, but it’s easily correctable. Check out the USATF 2007 indoor rankings here. […]
December 5, 2006
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