Archive for April, 2017
Masters women’s 100 and mixed 80-plus 100 returning to Penn
Penn Relays masters majordomo Phil Felton shared entry info — even though deadline was Friday. But perhaps you can still sneak in. In any case, he writes: “The two new events from last year, the women’s 100m and the 80+ mixed 100m, have been kept in the program.” The crowd loves the oldest sprinters, and […]
April 9, 2017
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Kathy Martin makes SI’s ‘Faces in the Crowd’ after WR rampage
On Sunday, Feb. 29, I nominated Kathy Martin for “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated. She had just set W65 world records in the 800 and mile at ABQ nationals, and it’s been my practice to give SI a heads up on notable performers. Though I wanted it to be a surprise for Kathy, […]
April 8, 2017
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Daegu Opening Ceremony rivaled the Olympics (on smaller scale)
I wasn’t in Daegu, but many of my Facebook friends were. They raved about the hospitality. One element was the Opening Ceremony. This 5-minute video devotes a big chunk to the performing acts. They seem professional and energetic. The clips that followed were kind of strange, starting with racewalkers. But a fair mix of throws […]
April 7, 2017
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W75 Marie-Louise Michelson pulled off a Daegu double-double
A month ago, I noted a surprise (to me) American entrant at Daegu — W75 superstar Marie-Louise Michelson. She didn’t show up in last year’s rankings. Now we know why: “I took 2016 off from track in order to do triathlons,” she writes. “I did five of them.” At Daegu, she did a quad — […]
April 6, 2017
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Major meet spiked? WMA regional ‘declined’ by host Juarez, Mexico
The North, Central and Caribbean WMA Championships in Juarez, Mexico, have been canceled, according to a letter provided by a Mexican source. The July 20-23 meet — my subject of scrutiny for safety reasons in January — has been “declined,” writes city Parks and Recs guy Javier Ibarra Molina. The letter is dated April 3 […]
April 5, 2017
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Bob Lida: ‘Nothing more exhilarating than running as fast as I can’
For all his honors — including 2012 WMA Best Male Athlete of the Year — one recognition eluded Bob Lida until last last week. That’s when he won his first USATF Athlete of the Week title. How did he hear of it? “Friend of mine, who is the athletic director at Pittsburg State University in […]
April 4, 2017
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Christa Bortignon pulls off triple double — WRs in LJ and TJ 3 times
World Female Athlete of the Year (2013) Christa Bortignon of Vancouver, British Columbia, has made up for what she calls her “terrible 2016 season,” which included pneumonia and a hip issue. In three weeks — March 11 to April 2 — she competed in three meets and 17 events, including Daegu worlds. She won 17 […]
April 3, 2017
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Wyoming’s Charlie Powell on WR relay is mystery man no more
When I reported the M65 world record 4Ă—2 relay at Daegu, I referred to the U.S. squad as a “dream team.” In fact, I didn’t know much about one member — Charlie Powell. Now we do, thanks to his local paper in Casper, Wyoming. Turns out that Charlie, a “psychologist by trade,” is a former […]
April 2, 2017
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Daegu’s main arena called heavenly, but ‘Stadium B’ not so hot
Austrian walker Franz Kropik called Daegu “one of the best, maybe the best, championship I’ve ever seen!” Photographer Rob Jerome raved: “Everything ran on time. The officials and assistants were particularly skillful and helpful. Signs were in multiple languages, and even the transportation system was easy to use. Assistants were everywhere and eager to help.” […]
April 1, 2017
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