Archive for December, 2013

Kathy Martin, Oscar Peyton marks among 9 new last-minute records

Nobody’s perfect, so it’s no surprise that Sandy Pashkin’s list of USATF masters records nominations fell short. But the official list of ratified records shows nine that escaped Sandy’s notice or nod. Among them were Kathy Martin’s W60 outdoor mile record of 5:42.65, Oscar Peyton’s M60 outdoor 200 record of 24.23 and Ty Brown’s M65 […]

December 9, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

How I beat 10-year-old speedster for dream end to 2013 season

It’s official. I’m a fifth-grader in terms of speed. On Saturday, the Red and Black All-Comers Meet at San Diego State University charged $10 for all-you-can-eat competition. I got my money’s worth in the 60-meter dash. Held in cool temps (about 55 degrees) with the clouds about to open, my heat pitted me against a […]

December 9, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Second call for milers: Register soon for Jan. 25 Hartshorne races

Tom Hartshorne and Charlie Fay, directors of the indoor milefest called Hartshorne, are looking for runners to partake of their annual celebration. Charlie writes: “With the holiday season now in full swing, we hope you’re also finding time for some track workouts in preparation for the 47th Hartshorne Masters Memorial Mile coming up January 25, 2014, […]

December 8, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Albuquerque, Michigan sites chosen to host 2016 masters nationals

Marilyn Mitchell reports from the USATF annual meeting in Indy that Albuquerque (sole bidder) has been awarded the 2016 indoor masters nationals. “Dates not yet chosen,” she writes.  “Looks as though it will be mid- to late-February or early March 2014.” The 2016 outdoor masters nationals went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which beat out a […]

December 7, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Record snub propelled Charles Allie to WMA honors in 2013

Charles Allie didn’t get an email or a phone call. He learned he’d been chosen as IAAF World’s Best Master from the WMA president himself — flying home from Brazil worlds. “This was one of the most exciting news I have ever received in my lifetime, but flying at 35,000 feet, I couldn’t [immediately] really […]

December 6, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  10 Comments

Sprinter Phillips turns masters track into modern art photography

Near-M60 dashman Tom Phillips, who I’ve dubbed the World’s Fastest Masters Photographer, is — like Earl Fee — an artist at heart. But he paints with a camera. Tom is a well-traveled landscape lensman who says: “I’ve been shooting stuff in the mountains around Europe for many years. More recently, I’ve had the time and […]

December 5, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Masters invited to USATF-sanctioned indoor meet in Alabama

An indoor track meet Dec. 27-28 in Birmingham, Alabama, is masters-friendly, reports Don Drummond. It’s being held at the Crossplex, a public multi-use center with a banked Mondo track. “Timing will be FAT,” Don writes. “Admission for adults will be $8 for 1 day or $14 for 2 days. 65 & older will be $5 […]

December 4, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Wonders Never Stop: Earl Fee’s book of poetry shows his spirit, wit

Canada’s Earl Fee, named “The Great” by Peter Taylor, produces world records and fitness books with regularity. But last year, he outdid himself by issuing a book of poetry. Titled “The Wonder of It All,” the 224-page delight (Trafford Publishing) touches on dozens of topics. He makes you laugh, reflect and remember. He goes short […]

December 3, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Mensey, Allie, Rogers named USATF Masters Athletes of Year

Today at the annual meeting in Indy, USATF announced world champs LaShawn Merritt and Brianna Rollins as its Athletes of the Year. The press release failed to mention masters. But we have honorees, too. Charles Allie (IAAF Best Master of 2013) shared top men’s honors with M95 superstar Orville Rogers, and W60 thrower Myrle Mensey […]

December 2, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Murray Sanford dies at 72; longtime referee at masters nationals

I didn’t go easy on bigwig USATF official Murray Sanford over the years. He made a suspicious call at 2006 Charlotte nationals to un-DQ a friend of his from Georgia. But Murray, who died last month at age 72 after an “extended illness,” was a Hall of Fame official who supported masters track by refereeing […]

December 2, 2013   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments