The masters equivalent of Gatlin vs. Powell
Justin Gatlin runs 9.77 to tie the 100 world record on May 12, 2006. Asafa Powell runs 9.77 to equal his own PR on June 11, 2006. It’s one of the greatest rivalries in sport — and certainly in contemporary track and field. Does masters track have anything comparable in sprints? You bet.
At the 1999 worlds, on the same Gateshead track where Powell ran his latest WR, M45s Stephen Peters and Bill Collins dueled in the 100 and 200, with Bill winning the 1 and Dr. Peters the 2 (as Bill pulled up midway through the final). Both set M45 and M50 world records in the sprints in coming years. But they rarely race each other now (and are in different age groups at the moment). So who might be our Gatlin-Powell?
My hope is that M50 sees a showdown this year between Oscar Peyton and Kevin Morning.
Kevin, who lives near Sacramento, turns 50 on June 28. Oscar, a Marylander, turned 50 in 2003. Both have the speed and spirit to challenge Collins’ WR at 100 (10.95) and Peters’ WR at 200 (22.58). And now maybe the motivation: each other.
In late April, at the Penn Relays, Oscar won the M50 100 in a personal best 11.39. A week ago, Kevin ran the 100 in 11.38. Talk about Gatlin-Powell close. These two could push each other into sub-11 territory with a proper (legal) wind, good track and warm weather.
On his Web site, Oscar isn’t shy, declaring:
“Within my age group, my goal is to set a world record at some point. My entire career in track started when I turned 50. I had no previous track & field experience in high school or college. I have been competing in track competitions for only three years to accomplish the above mentioned.”
For his part, Kevin avows mainly a love of competition:
Congratulating some fellow sprinters, Kevin recently wrote: “I know you feel like I do — we compete because we love to the sport, we’re thankful for the gift of running and we desire to put forth the best performances we can.”
So all that’s left for Kevin and Oscar to complete the circle of Gatlin-Powell is to line up next to each other at Charlotte this August in the M50 finals of the 100 (and 200 as well). Who knows? They might give Gatlin and Powell something to think about when THEY turn 50 (both in 2032).
Bring it on, guys!
4 Responses
Ken,
I haven’t been to nationals since it was held in Eugene of 2001 (?). The scheduling of the meet nearly coincides with the start of my teaching position of late. I will give some careful thought to this and perhaps I can work something out.
Thanks for putting the challenge out there. You are a good pot-stirer!
Kevin Morning
Ken…Oscar and Kevin are BOTH incredible athletes and they will “make a mark” on Masters track..(as Oscar already has)….BUT did you ever hear of two other soon to be 50 year olds….James Lofton and Ben James??????? All four of these men are really going to “make some noise” in the M 50 division.
I read in Track & Field News where Carl Lewis was planning on competeing in Master’s track , think he and Willie Gault are in same age bracket.
Ken, As Kevin stated, you are a good stirrer. I intend to compete in Charlotte. It has nothing to do with who else attends. By the way, while you are mentioning new names in the 50 age group, Nevelle Hodge is in the house. He ran the 100M and pulled a hamstring at the Penn Relays earlier this year.
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