Archive for April, 2014

Joy Upshaw, Debbie Hoffman celebrate masters at Mt. SAC Relays

W50 sprinters and Bay Area buddies Joy Upshaw and Debbie Hoffman went 1-2 in the Mt. SAC 100 Saturday and put on a show in the postrace interview as well. We learn that Debbie, moving down from her usual 400, last raced at Mt. SAC at a TAC nationals in 1980, when she ran the […]

April 22, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Momentous Meb! Great coverage of 38-year-old runner at Boston

Meb Keflezighi isn’t just a great runner. He’s a great guy. I know him from many San Diego events. But winning the Boston Marathon only weeks shy of turning 39 is beyond amazing. I couldn’t be happier for him. (And maybe now he’ll stop this fling with road running and return to the track!) It […]

April 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Eugene Driver’s parachute act a masters tradition at Mt. SAC

M60 sprinter Eugene Driver runs the 100 almost every year at Mt. SAC. Each time, nearing the finish line, he reaches into his singlet and unfurls a mini-drag chute. The crowd loves it. Every year, I vow to get the shot. Every year I miss. On Saturday, Chris Stone finally nailed it. She got a […]

April 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Willie Gault ‘wipes the dust off’ in winning Mt. SAC 100 in record

Former Super Bowl champ Willie Gault is no hot dog — despite his recent remarks about being faster than all but 8-10 current NFL speedsters. After winning the Mt. SAC masters 100 in an event record 11.28 seconds, he simply walked off to the west stands. I managed to flag him down for a short […]

April 20, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Ashton Eaton’s 400-meter hurdles debut and Stone photos/video

Wife and I were thrilled to see masters sprints and 800s at Saturday’s Mt. SAC Relays — although I was late for taking pictures of the women’s 800. Chris and I took 1,500 pictures in all. Many were of Ashton Eaton (who turns M35 in 9 years) in his 400-meter hurdles debut (fourth in 50.01). […]

April 20, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Mark Chapman dies at 71; Texas thrower was published poet

More suddenly than one would hope, Mark Chapman died Friday at his home in Cat Spring, Texas, reports Seth Brower, the Texas meet director. He suffered a major stroke only six days earlier. Seth sent me a biography. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 21, at St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Spring, Texas, […]

April 19, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Injuries are but speed bumps to Larry LaGesse, Sue McCarthy

Local papers have done nice stories on M65 multi-eventer Larry LaGesse and W50 sprinter Sue McCarthy, who live in Illinois and Maine, respectively. I like how they deal with injuries. Larry says: “I have to mention the people at Accel Rehabilitation in Bourbonnais. I was fighting a pulled left quad muscle and (therapist) Jarek Mategewski […]

April 19, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

W80 Irene Obera says: ‘I’ve always felt young, no matter what’

Irene Obera is looking ahead to outdoor nationals, according to a wonderful profile in Bay Area newspapers published Wednesday. “I’ve never felt old,” she said at 80. “I’ve always felt young, no matter what. How am I supposed to feel? I feel great, that’s all I know.” Alan Kolling, a friend and training partner, said: […]

April 18, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Nike buys USATF? At least masters can expect free uniforms

USATF signed a deal with Nike this week. We have to live with it through 2040. What’s in it for us? Masters track can expect free uniforms for worlds. Maybe some marketing and PR help. The official release says: “The new partnership will enable USATF to fully support Paralympic and masters track & field teams […]

April 17, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

First Mother-In-Law apparently hung up her spikes after all

Five years ago, I made a valiant effort to contact W70 sprinter Marian Shields Robinson for an interview. Normally, masters athletes are honored to be featured in this crazy-ass blog. But Marian was slow to respond. In fact, she (or her minders) never did. Not surprise. She’s Michelle Obama’s mom and takes care of her […]

April 16, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment