Archive for February, 2014

New Zealand holds 40th masters outdoor nationals this weekend

Kudos to the Kiwis! This weekend, they stage their 40th masters outdoor nationals. (Ours were about seven years ago.) But a poll in a New Zealand newspaper, which profiled an M85 entrant, missed the point. It asked: “When you are 86 do you hope to ….” And the options were “Have good health, Be surrounded […]

February 28, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Patsy Forbes aims to be ‘world’s fastest man over 70,’ BBC says

How good is Patsy Forbes, the M70 dashman? Good enough that he can challenge German sprint god Guido MĂźller. So suggests a recent TV documentary that aired in Northern Ireland. See this review in a Belfast paper. We learn: “The ‘True North: Run Grandad Run’ programme screened on BBCNI on Monday night was one of […]

February 27, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

The Empire strikes back: WRs for Elms in 8 and 15, Dunson in pent

Tired of seeing the Yanks set the pace, 50-year-old Brits Clare Elms and Greg Dunson set indoor world records of their own over the Valentine’s Day weekend. Competing at the South of England/Eastern Vets Championships, Clare ran the 800 in 2:21.09 to crush the listed W50 WR of 2:24.49 by Spain’s Aurora Perez in 2009. […]

February 26, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Masters Mile (men and women) set for Aztec Invitational in March

The Masters Mile was the genesis of U.S. masters track. David Pain added this event to a San Diego invitational in June 1966. Almost 50 years later, the Aztec Invitational at San Diego State University will feature Masters Miles on March 28. Meet director Rick Reaser says the women’s and men’s mile with be the […]

February 25, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Leland McPhie making M100 debut at Boston masters nationals

Poor Champion Goldy. With a name made for track celebrity and an age (97) apt for veneration, the Rev. Goldy should be the star at Boston indoor nationals next month. Alas, he’s been upstaged. Four days before the meet starts March 14, Leland McPhie of San Diego turns the big 1-0-0. Absent from big meets […]

February 25, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Tim Seaman’s swan song a sizzler: WR in M40 indoor 3K walk!

Nate Sickerson ran 7.14, the fastest 60-meter dash for an M40 American since 2009, in winning the masters exhibition at the USA Indoor nationals Sunday in Albuquerque, and Lisa Valle ran the second-fastest 1500 for a W45 American this season in taking that event in 5:12.45. But the best masters mark at open nationals (besides […]

February 24, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Bubba Sparks plans free Southern California vault/clinic in June

Clinics for high jumpers, throwers and runners are common these days. But how often do you see a symposium and competition just for vaulters? OK, maybe at Reno. But what if it’s free? That’s the plan announced this week by Southern California’s Doug “Bubba” Sparks, who has access to Dana Hills High School facilities. Bubba […]

February 23, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  14 Comments

Hurdles guru profiles timber-topper who went against the grain

Steve McGill, a hurdles-loving coach in North Carolina, has profiled me in his online magazine, Hurdles First. His 3,200-word article is rife with factual accuracy. (He cheated by letting me check it first.) But I forgive him for making me out to be a better hurdler than I am. Loved his choice of anecdotes, such […]

February 22, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  12 Comments

Toshiko d’Elia dies at 84; Hall of Famer among distance giants

“Queen of the Roads” Toshiko “Toshi” d’Elia, considered one of the greatest masters distance runners of all time, died Wednesday at age 84 of a brain tumor, according to reports in her home state of New Jersey and around the world. A pioneer on the track who was part of the first Masters Hall of […]

February 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

50-foot weight throw looms for Myrle Mensey after 3-record day

She put the 6.6-pound shot 9.20 meters (30-2 1/4). She spun the 12-pound weight 15.23 meters (49-11 3/4). And she heaved the 20-pound superweight 10.22 meters (33-6 1/2). So say posted results for newbie W65 Myrle Mensey at the USATF Illinois Indoor Open and Masters Championships on Feb. 15 at the Westwood Sports Complex in […]

February 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments