David Pain got rock star treatment at Sacramento world meet

The founder of masters track was the toast of the town for four days last week. David Pain, whose masters miles in the mid-1960s led to the first USA national masters meet in 1968 in San Diego, visited the General Assembly at Sacto on Thursday and witnessed track events on Friday and Sunday, including all the relays of the final day’s session at Sacramento State. Despite medical problems and a recent bout of pneumonia, nothing could keep him and his devoted wife, Linda, from worlds — the first WMA meet he’s witnessed since the late 1990s.

Multi-eventer and middle-distance runner Rob Duncanson introduced David to his wife and daughters at Sacramento worlds. (Photo by Ken Stone)

While being wheeled to and from his shade tent vantage point near the finish line, he was greeted by dozens of athletes, including superstars Ed Whitlock, Sid Howard and Anselm LeBourne.

As David sat in my old Toyota Corolla for a final trip back to his hotel Sunday, athletes from India took his picture paparazzi style and asked to pose with him. He had a great time as he neared his 89th birthday on July 31, and received a plaque from WMA President Stan Perkins.

On Sunday, the meet announcer noted David’s presence. He waved to the stands — filled with athletes who wouldn’t have been there had it not been for the efforts of David Holland Rose Pain.