Archive for March, 2016

Jim McNamara dies at 77; Irish Olympian, masters distance star

Irish media Thursday reported the death of Jim McNamara, a 1976 Olympian for Ireland (39th in the marathon) who in the 1980s and 1990s became a masters record-holder and world champion. “He went on to win world and European titles at masters level, including setting a 10,000 world record in the M50 class in 1989,” […]

March 10, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

WMA brass attend Indian masters nationals, urge more support

So WMA President Stan Perkins and Secretary Winston Thomas were in India over the weekend for masters nationals. They’ll both likely attend IAAF Portland worlds as well, I imagine. Nice gig. So what did they do in India? Tell them to clean up their warring affiliates act? Unsure. Our only clue comes from this report […]

March 9, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Meet the future of masters throwing: W30 champ Jessica Becker

W30 Jessica Becker, who coaches prolific record-setter Myrle Mensey, also threw in ABQ, winning the shot (13.60 / 44-7 1/2), weight throw (13.46 / 44-2) and super weight (7.59 / 24-11) in her first submasters outing at a masters meet. “She’s definitely a star to watch,” writes photographer Rob Jerome. “Myrle couldn’t say enough great […]

March 8, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Altitude helps ABQ elevate 13 world indoor masters records

Parts of Albuquerque are exactly a mile high (5,280 feet). And like the famed 1968 Mexico City Games, the thinner air had a dramatic impact on the record books, especially in the sprints and jumps. Maybe the throws, too. Organizers of ABQ nationals also did the right thing Sunday by redoing 4×2 relays from Saturday […]

March 7, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  13 Comments

Memorial service March 15 for husband of W60 star Rita Hanscom

Our W60 multi-eventer friend Rita Hanscom wasn’t in ABQ this weekend, and for sad reasons. She’s mourning the Feb. 24 death of her husband of 33 years, Richard “Dick” Hanscom, a retired San Diego judge. Dick was 84, but was a serious distance runner when he met Rita during lunchtime runs from the downtown San […]

March 6, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  16 Comments

World records fall at ABQ, but relay fiascos sour Day 2 at nationals

Day 2 at ABQ nationals should be remembered as one of the greatest record days in masters history, but a snafu involving 4-lap relays left some great athletes angry and mystified — their record moments stolen. Christa Mann of USATF noted in her Saturday report: “In men’s 4x200m relays, two teams ran faster than their […]

March 5, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Happy birthday to Ed Burke — and an M75 WR in weight throw

M75 Olympian Ed Burke set a world record on his 76th birthday and three others claimed American records on Day 1 (Friday) at Albuquerque (henceforth ABQ) indoor nationals. (Results are here.) My sources also share sad news: Christel Donley scratched before the competition with a leg injury, and Marie Kay, who had come all the […]

March 4, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Toronto 2020 unveils WMA bid site, including day-by-day schedule

In an era where learning a meet schedule is like pulling lion fangs, Toronto 2020’s bid site for WMA worlds is a revelation. Hoping to host the meet July 21-Aug. 2, 2020, organizers have posted a rough sked (events but not age groups) for the three major stadia. We even learn the names (and email […]

March 3, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Sean Wade’s M50 goals for outdoors: WRs in four track events

How brave is Sean Wade? So brave he answers my questions. That’s my feeling after he boldly laid out his 2016 outdoor track goals in his first season as a 50-year-old. If he achieves them, he’ll have set seven world records by the end of the year — in the 800, mile, 3000 and 5000 […]

March 2, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

India’s masters nationals (Perth ‘qualifier’) may draw 4,000 entrants

After WMA worlds themselves, the biggest masters meet of the year may be in India, if The Hundu newspaper story is to be believed. “[Mysore] will play host to the 37th National Masters athletic championship to be held from March 2 to 6. About 4,000 athletes from across the country will participate in the championship. […]

March 1, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments