Archive for February, 2015

Quantum leap in W40 high jump WR — among 3 set in Europe

Four-time Olympian Venelina Veneva, who turned 40 last June, jumped out of her head Sunday at the Bulgarian national championships, clearing 1.90 meters (6-2 3/4) and shattering the listed indoor (and outdoor) WRs. The listed W40 indoor best is 1.80 (5-10 3/4) by Oana Pantelimon. The outdoor WR is 1.87 (6-1 1/2) by Iryná Myhalchenko. […]

February 18, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Willie Banks knocks USATF board vote on IAAF rep reversal

M55 jumper and Hall of Famer Willie Banks was on the USATF Board of Directors for six years, representing masters and other committees. He saw a lot. He rarely spoke of his board tenure, and when I asked him, he was careful not to reveal too much. But when I queried him this week on […]

February 17, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

M35 Kim Collins even faster! 6.47 WR for 60 meters at Lodz

Kim Collins, who twice ran 6.48 for M35 world records earlier this season, scorched 60 meters in 6.47 seconds today in Lodz, Poland. (See results.) It’s yet another PR for 39-year-old Kim, who must have found the Fountain of Youth somewhere back in St. Kitts. Here’s how the Pedro’s Cup website described the race: “Before […]

February 17, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Southwest Sprinters shatter M50 club American record in 4×4

With his incredible M40 WR, Bernard Lagat stole headlines from the Wanamaker Mile winner. He also took my eye off the Millrose masters relays ball. According to results, the Southwest Sprinters TC M50 4-by-400 team clocked 3:43.52. That smashes the listed American club record of 3:47.32 by New York Pioneer Club’s Ed Small, Robert Rizzo, […]

February 16, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Trautmann on WR: ‘[Barton] pushed me to set my goals higher’

Via Facebook, Olympian John Trautmann shared details of his M45 WR mile at Boston: “Thank you, everyone, for the kind words of congratulations! This record has been a goal of mine for the past 3 years and to finally see all the 80-90 mile weeks and torturous sessions on the track culminating in a world […]

February 15, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Lagat crushes Coghlan world record in mile: 3:54.91 at Millrose

Well, that was easy. Bernard Lagat came from near the back of the pack in today’s Wanamaker Mile to conquer the historic 3:58.15 M40 mile world record by Eamonn Coghlan. Bernard, wearing “Kip” on his bib, clocked 3:54.91 in taking fourth at Millrose. Still awaiting his 1500-meter time, which no doubt will best the listed […]

February 14, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  17 Comments

John Trautmann topples M45 mile world record by 4 seconds

John Trautmann took fifth in Section 6 of the mile at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at Boston University. But his time Saturday was stunning — 4:12.33. (See results here.) That broke the listed M45 world indoor record of 4:16.83 by Brad Barton as well as the oversized-track WR of 4:13.25 by Tony Young. It’s […]

February 14, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  19 Comments

Amanda Scotti, Greg Pie-Za to mark first Valentine’s Day at meet

You go to Palm Springs for resorts, restaurants and shopping, right? Perfect for Valentine’s Day. But if you’re world-class masters, the real attraction Feb. 14 is the nearby senior meet. “We’re racing in the Palm Desert Senior Games on Valentine’s Day; seems like a great way to spend it,” say Amanda Scotti and Greg Pizza […]

February 13, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Mile predictions: Lagat will run 3:56 Saturday, Trautmann 4:16

Bernard Lagat, unless he’s tripped or spiked, will run a mile in 3:56 Saturday at the Millrose Games in Manhattan. Fellow Olympian John Trautmann will run the same distance in 4:16 in Boston. Both will claim age-group world records in the process. Who sez? Me. But intensive coverage of both runners suggests I may be […]

February 12, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Lonnie Hooker isn’t 6.92 fast, but still a force in masters sprints

Several weeks ago, when a 60-meter time of 6.92 was reported for M50 Lonnie Hooker, people took notice. Yowza, a world record! Crushed Val Barnwell’s WR of 7.13 from Landover (the same site as Lonnie’s run)! Commenters noted this, too. Why no attention? So I wrote Lonnie, and alas: “The 6.92 is hand-timed,” he replied. […]

February 11, 2015   Posted in: Uncategorized  19 Comments