Millrose Games to feature geezer sprinters (but only ex-NFL)
An exhibition 60-meter race at the Millrose Games, just announced by USATF, “is expected to feature” M45 superstar Willie Gault, almost M35 Tim Dwight and M30 David Tyree. Why these folks? I guess they have some kind of pro football connection. But then why stop there? What about NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton? Or Phil McConkey, a Super Bowl legend? Or Billy “White Shoes” Johnson? All three have been regulars on the masters track circuit. As long as the masters sprint exhibition at Millrose has to be ex-NFL, might as well invite these others. In any case, best of luck to Willie. The M45 WR is 6.97. It’s yours for the taking.
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4 Responses
According to the USATF release and the Millrose Games web site, “Additional Super 60 participants will be announced in coming weeks.” Could be interesting.
AP story quotes USATF CEO Doug Logan on this event:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=4819929
“This is a real distance. They’re real athletes. We’re not doing Bill Veeck put a midget in front of a pitcher,” Logan said of the St. Louis Browns owner’s famous 1951 stunt. “One of these days we might, but this isn’t it.”
Track & Field News message board discussion of this is here:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=38505
Many thanks to USATF for organizing these exhibition events and to the talented athletes willing to travel and compete. This will stir up interest among track and field fans. People like to see there is “life after youth.”
I am reminded of the Penn Relays a few years ago. The biggest roar and cheers of approval from the huge crowds was for the masters sprint “exhibition” races–and most of the entrants were not the fastest in their age group. But, they were there and willing to put themselves on the line, even if they weren’t in the best of shape.
Although it is an honor to be asked, these events aren’t set up to showcase the best and honor their achievements, but rather to showcase the masters program: That masters track and field is alive and well and competitive.
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