Albuquerque re-awarded 2011 USATF masters indoor nationals

USATF has announced in a strange press release that Albuquerque, New Mexico, will host the 2011 masters national indoor championships. Why strange? Because the city was publicly chosen as host of the 2011 meet last December. Five months ago, the annual convention voted for New Mexico 26-25 over Bloomington, Indiana. So why the re-announcement? As noted by national chair Gary Snyder last week, negotiations were ongoing over a contract between USATF and the LOC (local organizing committee). Gary even warned: “Until agreement is reached I would recommend not making arrangements to travel to Albuquerque.” But now a deal has been struck. Dodged another bullet.

The press release also quotes USATF CEO Doug Logan:

“We are excited to have Albuquerque host the 2011 USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships,” said USATF CEO Doug Logan. ” Albuquerque was a wonderful host to this year’s USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in February and with the addition of the Masters championships in 2011 they have put themselves on the map as one of the nation’s premier sites for Indoor Track & Field in the United States.”

That’s a first! The CEO hasn’t bothered to publicly congratulate Boston (or any other national champs host) in the past.

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May 14, 2010

8 Responses

  1. peter taylor - May 14, 2010

    It’s apparently a very good facility, and the altitude should help sprinters and jumpers.

  2. Mellow Johnny - May 14, 2010

    Definitely a surprise to see Logan comment on the venue for Masters Indoor Nats.

    At least they got it figured out, though, and before we even know where THIS year’s WMA regional meet is! 🙁

  3. Mary Harada - May 14, 2010

    altitude will be a problem for distance events.
    When will the meet be held? Is that a secret?

  4. Ken Stone - May 14, 2010

    Mary, the meet dates are specified:

    The championships will be held March 4-6 in the Albuquerque Convention Center.

  5. Jerry Smartt - May 15, 2010

    Nairobi was my last altitude gig and it was rough. In the 10,000, every time Mamo Wolde passed me he said, “Come on, Jeree.” In a 2-mile XC race, the only time I saw Kip Keino was at the start. He went off with the gun, off, as in disappeared. You sprinters and jumpers enjoy Albuquerque.

    Who’s your daddy, drop me an email. j9s1131@hughes.net Smartty

  6. Mary Harada - May 16, 2010

    I should read all of the announcement before making a comment. Dealing with exercise induced asthma is bad enough – add in 5000 feet -not a happy though- gasp. Not enough time for me to get a gene transplant and turn into a sprinter or jumper.
    Oh well – no 3k for me in Albuquerque, it would be about as successful as my dnf at Reggie this past March in the 3k when I had a chest cold and could not catch my breath.
    got to go – time to learn how to long jump or maybe pole vault before next March.

  7. gary - December 4, 2010

    What happened to Boston hosting the Indoor Nationals? Record attendances, well run meet, superb competition, motel accessibilty, New Mexico? No Way!

  8. Francoise Barnes - February 19, 2011

    Gary, what do you have against New Mexico? For your info it is a state located in the USA! Don’t like green chile? Get red 🙂

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