Archive for August, 2009

Invitation to Lahti-goers: Record your memories on Forum

Ten years ago, I competed in the M45 high hurdles, 200 and high jump at the WAVA world meet in Gateshead, England. I’ll never forget three-stepping the first four hurdles or having my picture taken with Canadian Olympian Debbie Brill, who set a world record that day. But many memories evaporated. Don’t let this happen to […]

August 6, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Rex Harvey loses WMA presidency election by single vote

Six minutes before noon today, delegates at the Lahti General Assembly gasped as election results were projected on an overhead screen. Ohio’s Rex Harvey craned his neck to see a 61 beside his name. Next to rival Stan Perkins’ name was a 62. Thus ended Rex’s 22-year stint with World Masters Athletics as he lost the race […]

August 5, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  39 Comments

Day 7: Jumpers soar, then join the mortals at Lahti party

The seventh of 10 competition days at Lahti worlds featured some high-profile jump contests, including the M50 at the main stadium, where Bruce McBarnette won with 1.90 but missed an American record 1.95. Temps were in the 60s. But no rain today. In the M55 event, Jaroslav Lorenc of the Czech Republic won at Radiomaki stadium — […]

August 4, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Day 6: Sprinters at worlds run wet and dry, modest and . . .

Dr. Stephen Peters of Britain won the M55 200 this afternoon at Lahti in 23.50 — into the slightest of headwinds. It was just off Bill Collins’ world record of 23.36. Steve quietly shook some hands, posed for a group shot, and left. Minutes later, Val Barnwell of the USA won the M50 200 in a […]

August 3, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  15 Comments

Day 6: Rita Hanscom wins third gold, in W55 pole vault

Rita Hanscom’s W55 superstar tour continued in Lahti today when she won the pole vault at 2.70 meters. It was her third gold at worlds, after winning the hep and the 300 hurdles. In the vault, she beat Ute Ritte, the wife of German masters vault legend Wolfgang Ritte, and Britain’s Sue Yeomans. She tied for […]

August 3, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  11 Comments

USATF hasn’t reported squat about Team USA at Lahti worlds

This is outrageous. Americans are winning dozens of medals in Lahti, some setting world or American records, and usatf.org has yet to report ANYTHING about Team USA at the WMA World Masters Athletics Championships. And the meet is about half over! I wrote to folks in the press office at Indy, pleading with them to simply check out […]

August 2, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

Day 5: Big highs and lows for Americans at Lahti worlds

Rita Hanscom, running the event for only the second time, won the W55 300 hurdles today at Lahti worlds, going out easy and finishing hard to pass two other ladies in the last 50 meters. Darnell Gatling took the M45 400 hurdles easily. Linda Cohn won the W55 javelin.  Disappointments came in the M50 800, […]

August 2, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

WMA slates candidates forum for Monday night in Lahti

World Masters Athletics will elect several officers Wednesday at its biennial General Assembly, including president and vice president for stadia meets. Although prez rivals Stan Perkins and Rex Harvey have addressed questions, others have not. Few know where VP-stadia candidates Serge Beckers and Sandy Pashkin stand on key issues. That could change Monday night (August […]

August 2, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Day 4: Americans among the walking wounded at Lahti

Steve Robbins pulled a groin muscle in the M65 100. Dick Richards dropped out of the M75 race with his own leg injury. Ben James finished his M50 sprint with a strain but should be back. Joy Upshaw-Margerum scratched from the W45 sprints after hurting her foot. And Jeff Brower, given lane 1, stopped at […]

August 1, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments