Archive for November, 2007

Allen Johnson says he’ll enter 2009 masters nationals

Allen Johnson, 1996 Olympic champ at 110 hurdles, says he’ll enter the M35 hurdles at the 2009 masters indoor nationals, according to a press release from Bob Weiner. He’ll be 38 when the indoor nationals are held at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Center in Landover, Maryland. (He could do masters now, but he […]

November 30, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

New event for masters throwers: ultra weight pentathlon

News has begun trickling in from the USATF annual meeting in Hawaii. We learn via Crackberry from Jerry Bookin-Weiner (and a forward from George Mathews): “The Ultra Weight Pent(athlon) was approved yesterday by the Masters Committee and the Rules Committee unanimously in both cases.” This event involves throwing implements ranging from 35 pounds to 300 […]

November 30, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Raschker is robbed! W75 roadie wins top USATF honor

The Oscars have nothing on USATF Masters when it comes to politics in top awards. Like the Academy Awards, the year’s top athlete selection in USATF appears to be less a function of merit than “it’s-our-turn” mentality. Despite being named IAAF Female Masters Athlete of the Year, Phil Raschker isn’t even the top masters athlete […]

November 29, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  10 Comments

No masters events at ‘Dream’ indoor meet in January

This coming January 21, Fresno State is putting on a world-class indoor meet called Run for the Dream (its name honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). But the dream is for the youngsters, not us. I wrote to several people associated with the meet, asking if perhaps (pretty please?) they might find space for a […]

November 29, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

German star calls for ‘shorter, better, smaller’ worlds

Germany’s Guido Müller, a former IAAF Masters Athlete of the Year who holds seven world age-group records in the sprints and hurdles, claims gold nearly every time he runs at world masters championships. But that isn’t enough. He wants the WMA world meets downsized through qualifying standards. His comments appear in the latest issue of […]

November 28, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  20 Comments

Jay Silvester offers advice to masters in video chat

Jay Silvester, the new M70 recordman in the discus, was one of several legends interviewed at the recent National Throws Coaches Association annual convention. About 20 minutes into a chat with Gerry McEvoy, Jay gets this query: “What advice would you give to masters throwers?” His reply is pretty general — but down-to-earth. Jay says […]

November 27, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Artistic spearchucker offers services to masters

USATF Masters has been inviting athletes to fill out a skills survey. But some folks just skip the middleman and do their own thing to promote our sport. A good example is Roald Bradstock, the artist and M45 javelin thrower. He wrote me early this month: “I met with Phil Raschker. . . . I […]

November 25, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Tips on travel for 2008 world masters indoors in France

Pete Mulholland, my British masters writer friend, writes: “I have just booked a hotel for the WMA Indoors (in Clermont-Ferrand, France) but understand that accommodation is quickly being filled. . . . Some of the USA athletes who may be combining the meet with a European vacation might like to see what Eurostar can offer.” […]

November 24, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

German defends his M50 world record in discus

Last June, I mentioned a German’s 10-year-old world record in the M50 discus, and Tom Fahey of California posted a cautionary comment: “I think the official world record by Klaus Weiffenbach for 50-54 is suspect. His teammate Alwin Wagner told me that Klaus couldn’t throw a 2 kg discus 170 feet when he set the […]

November 23, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Thanksgiving treat: Edwin Moses shares windbreaker

Edwin Moses, of all people, sent me a video clip perfect for Thanksgiving Day in the United States. The subject line was: Thermal Imaging Cameras at airports. Edwin wrote: “Everybody be careful at the airports. IP attorneys lets get with it.” So what’s the deal? Check out this clip:

November 22, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment