Archive for March, 2007

800 meters: First of series of single-age records online

The king is dead. Long live the king! Well, Pete Mundle isn’t gone. But his successor as master of all masters records has begun his reign. Martin Gasselsberger of mastersathletics.net has begun an online listing of single-age records. His first events are the men’s 800 and the women’s 800. This isn’t a first (since Weia […]

March 19, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Weiner cranks up publicity machine for Boston

One of the hardest working guys in masters track is an M55 middle-distance runner who wins medals but doesn’t set records. But his efforts are rewarded with something better than mere hardware: publicity for our niche. His name is Bob Weiner, and he’s the USATF Masters Media Subcommittee chairman. His job? Spotlight our stars and […]

March 19, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Altendorf’s birthday present: Story in local paper

John Altendorf turned 61 last Monday. Yesterday he woke up to see a nice article about his recent vault exploits in the local newspaper. But what caught my eye was how John became aware of masters track — an article in the newspaper. “Dennis Phillips . . . held the American record for the age […]

March 18, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Record pickle: Is FAT 2:19.83 faster than 2:19.7?

Thank you, Karin Wahlstedt. You spared us a debate on hand-timing vs. FAT for records consideration in events over 400 meters. Who is Karin Wahlstedt? Well, on March 3 in in Bollnäs, Sweden, she ran the 800 in 2:18.16 — easily better than the listed W45 world indoor record. But, nah. Let’s have the debate. […]

March 18, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Nadine O’Connor tops 10 feet in W65 vault debut

Less than two weeks after turning 65, USATF Masters Athlete of the Year Nadine O’Connor yesterday vaulted 3.05 meters (10 feet) to demolish Joy McDonald’s listed W65 world outdoor record of 2.40 (7-10 1/2) by more than two feet. Joy’s record lasted only seven months, having come last summer at Charlotte nationals. Nadine’s age-graded mark […]

March 17, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Shaheed in shape: Beats own M55 record in 800 twice

Nolan Shaheed is 57 and ready for Boston. How ready? He wrote Friday: “Today I ran an 800 at the (Occidental) Distance Carnival and ran a 2:06 something (actually 2:06.76), which isn’t a great time but not a bad one.” Last week he ran a 2:05.43 at the Benny Brown Invitational at Cal State Fullerton. […]

March 17, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

W50 pentathlete joins son on college track team

Carla Hoppie, who will compete in the pentathlon at next week’s Boston nationals, is 50 years old — and a member of the Eastern Oregon University track team. That’s a rarity. But even more rare: Her son, Chris, is a track teammate! A great story on this was produced by the school. The best part: […]

March 16, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Make way for M45 sprint superstar Cebron Robinson

Who is Cebron Robinson? And why am I poking fun at him? Well, sorry. But there’s gotta be some consequence for submitting hilarious marks when entering a masters championship. The latest M45 status of entries page at USATF for the Boston indoor nationals indicates Cebron has submitted “qualifying marks” of 6.52 in the 60 and […]

March 15, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  12 Comments

USA Track & Field Foundation invites masters requests

More than two years ago, I asked USATF CEO Craig Masback if the much-ballyhooed USA Track & Field Foundation had cut any checks for masters track. Craigo replied: “The foundation has yet to give money to anyone.” Further, he said: “I’m not aware that (the) masters (committee) has asked for money.” Well, this Pittsburgh-based nonprofit […]

March 15, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Competing masters miles include record attempt

The folks behind letsrun.com have announced a series of mile runs on May 13 in Ithaca, N.Y., including a professional race, called the Kip Keino Mile. The site says: “There will be masters miles, an open mile and quite a few corporate and club relays.” (Yet a day earlier, top masters milers will compete at […]

March 14, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments