Archive for February, 2015

IAAF Masters Commission meets in Monaco; show us the money

America’s Sandy Pashkin and other poobahs of World Masters Athletics went to Monaco a couple weeks ago as part of the annual meeting of the IAAF Masters Commission (which replaced the IAAF Masters Committee last year). IAAF reports: “The Commission’s discussion focused on four main themes: the merger of IAAF member federations and WMA affiliates […]

February 28, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

IAAF seeking Lyon volunteers on behalf of World Masters Athletics

So now we know what the IAAF is good for — acting as a volunteers-wanted bulletin board. This week the Big Enchilada of world track posted an item headlined: VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR 2015 WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN LYON, FRANCE. (Hey! Tone it down, fellas! Yelling is so 1990s.) We learn: “The local organising committee […]

February 27, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Amy Acuff app aims to take you higher with iPhone or iPad help

Amy Acuff doesn’t turn 40 until July, but she’s still the Bernard Lagat of American high jumping. On Sunday, she’ll compete in the USATF open indoor nationals. If she medals, she’ll be asked how she did it. She’ll likely mention her free sports video analysis app called iAnalyze. Amy shared info on the app, which […]

February 26, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

World records in 1500 could fall in M45 and M55 at open nationals

Masters exhibition events at USATF open nationals are generally ho-hum affairs. Yes, races are exciting for a few moments. But they have no legs in historical terms. That could change this year. Middle-distance stars John Trautmann and Anselm LeBourne will be gunning for M45 and M55 records at Boston nationals Sunday, both in the 1500. […]

February 25, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Slovenian sensation adds M65 high jump indoor world record

One way of measuring a mark is how it rates on the “absolute records” scale. In terms of the high jump, that means nobody older has leaped higher. So now we have another entry: Slovenia’s Dusan Prezelj cleared 1.68 meters (5-6) over the weekend at the Balkan Veterans Indoor Championships in Istanbul. Not bad for […]

February 24, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Mike Powell plans professional comeback, not masters track debut

Mike Powell tells me his trip to New Zealand is twofold — get a masters record and make some money. In a Times of San Diego story, I share details of a 50-minute chat I had with Mr. 29-4 1/2 (aka Mr. 8.95WR). Among other things, he says: “I can’t jump for free. There’s value […]

February 23, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

Brits blast M45 world record in 4×200 relay at Birmingham meet

Led by indoor world record-holder Darren Scott, a British M45 quartet lowered the world record in the 4-by-200 relay Sunday in Birmingham. They clocked 1:33.97 to nip the listed WR of 1:34.24 set by the French in 2008, according to early reports. Darren anchored in 22.4 after Will MacGee led off in 23.5. Giuseppe Minetti […]

February 22, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Irene Obera betters W80 high jump AR at Cal all-comers meet

Irene Obera’s W80 debut last season was awesome, with six (listed) world records in sprints and hurdles. Now the Hall of Famer is adding the high jump. At an all-comers meet Saturday at Cal’s famed Edwards Stadium (site of my ACL tear of 1984 and other historic events), Irene cleared 1.05 meters (3-5 1/4). See […]

February 21, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Mike Powell seeking age-group long jump record (for third time)

Mike Powell is nothing if not persistent. In 2006, 2007 and 2009, the WR-holder in the long jump promised to set an age-group world record in his event. First M40, then M45. Neither panned out. Now comes word (via news releases on PR Rocket and PR Newswire) that Mike is traveling Down Under for a […]

February 20, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  12 Comments

M45 recordman John Trautmann: ‘Having more fun now than ever’

Setting a world record may not be John Trautmann’s most memorable recent moment. “I actually got married this past August in Bermuda to my wonderful wife, Grace,” he writes. “No kids yet.” I wrote John to learn more about the newly minted M45 mile king. He graciously responded — adding to what we learned from […]

February 19, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments