Archive for June, 2016

Mike Powell vows to make Rio Olympics in long jump at age 52

When I checked in yesterday for the 100 at the San Diego USATF Open Championships, I asked the clerk: Is Mike Powell entered? She looked through her sheets and said: “I don’t see him.” Drat. I was hoping to watch the world record holder, at age 52, try to get a qualifying mark for the […]

June 12, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Ed Whitlock lowers M85 WR in the mile by 46 freaking seconds!

Friday night in Cambridge, Ontario, all-galaxy runner Ed Whitlock boggled minds again by running a mile in 7:18.55. He’s 85, folks! That obliterated the listed M85 world record of 8:04.7 by Germany’s Josef Galia in 1985. A Canadian running magazine reports: “Whitlock’s most recent record came at the historic Cambridge Classic Mile, an annual event […]

June 11, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

USATF Club Championships offers masters 800s, relays in Philly

Devon Joan Martin, chair of USATF Club Council, writes: “If you loved running at Penn Relays, you can run at Franklin Field again on June 25 at the USA National Club Championships! USA Club Nationals has always had masters in its relay events including numerous masters relay records set there. Club Nationals has four relays: […]

June 11, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

WMA working up new website under hyphenless domain name

The World Masters Athletics website, never a model for fresh news, is more out of date than ever. Its top story is coverage of IAAF Portland masters races — from late March. I think I know why. A new WMA website is being built. (The old one dates to 2001.) Same name but no hyphens. […]

June 10, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Christian Cushing-murray gets RW love ahead of Trials 1500

At 48, Christian Cushing-murray is a masters road legend who sometimes ventures onto the track. He’ll be there big time in Eugene next month when he races the masters 1,500-meter exhibition at the Olympic Trials. But he’s nervous that quotes attributed to him in a Runner’s World profile make him seem too cocky. On Facebook, […]

June 9, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Kenya confused about WMA eligibility as it points toward Perth

Well, good. Kenya has announced it will send masters to Perth worlds. But the wording of a story in The Star newspaper suggests someone didn’t get the memo on starting ages. (It’s 35 for everybody, not just women). Also, the story refers to trials. None needed. In any case, it’s worth celebrating that M75 Olympic […]

June 8, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Willie Gault burns wind-aided monster marks in 100 and 200

Saturday was a good day for another Willie — Willie Gault. Competing at the Jim Bush meet at Cerritos College (the Southern California Association USATF championships), Willie at age 55 ran 100 meters in 11.06 with a 2.8 mps aiding wind and 200 in 22.69 with a 4.1 mps aiding wind. (The legal limit for […]

June 7, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Willie Banks wasn’t only Olympian jumping at Pasadena meet

I focused on Willie Banks on Saturday, squeezing his two events into a 6-minute video. With temperatures reaching the low 90s at the Pasadena Senior Games, it’s amazing Willie was able to perform as well as he did. He waited hours for his event to start. (He relaxed in the shade of a palm tree.) […]

June 5, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Willie Banks bounces M60 American record in TJ, scares WR in HJ

With long jump world record holder Mike Powell cheering him on, Willie Banks thrice beat the listed M60 American record in the triple jump Saturday at Caltech. Competing in the Pasadena Senior Games, Willie did 12.51 (41-0 1/2) (a correction from earlier post) on his second of four tries. His third attempt was a scratch, […]

June 4, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Members-only area to debut Monday on mastersrankings.com

John Seto has shared news that his all-world rankings site will offer special features for paying members only starting Monday. The vast database will continue to stay public. But this is John’s way of paying for his and others’ time updating the site. He writes: “You have told me (via survey) how you think that […]

June 3, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments