Fastest friends: M55 sprinters Collins and Peters at Sydney
Bill Collins is home in Houston after an extended trip following the Sydney World Masters Games. He brought back a souvenir worth the price of admission: the snapshot of him and Dr. Stephen Peters, his M55 sprint rival from Britain. Whether Steve had the flu or a muscle pull, his absence from the finals took a little luster off the meet. Bill swept the 100, 200 and 400. But even Bill had problems. Coach Collins writes: “The meet was run really well; everyone made sure everything was run on time and if anyone had any questions or problems, it was handled in a very timely fashion. For me the weather was a little cool, but overall it was good, my leg held up OK running about 80% level during my races, the last day running the 200 and the 4X100 the leg gave me some trouble. I now plan to take two months off to fully heal.” Quite a season for everyone. Also, enjoy similar Sydney shots over at Women Running Together, where Carmel Papworth-Barnum shares memories of the blokes’ events and the sheilas’ events.
Bill Collins (left) and Steve Peters reconnected at this month’s Sydney WMG.
15 Responses
Hum… this year Usain Bolt run 9.58″….hum…. 80% of 9.58” is 11.98″…hum
Maybe I calculate like I am writing in English and sprinting 100 m flat?
My pb in the M55 is 13.48”; in Lahti I run 13.91” …hum… it was nearby 97%…
…But, it is not so important.
Congratulations! to Bill Collins. I enjoy 100% every time when I see him running from 60 m to 400 m.
And get well soon (100%)! to Dr. Stephen Peters.
Sorry
I am the “Anonymous” up there.
I made a false start with the Submit-Button.
Actually, 80% of 9.58 is 7.67.
After giving it about 2 minutes of thought I decided that this should be the listing of the greatest male sprinters (includes 60, 100, 200, and 400) in U.S. masters history:
1st Bill Collins
2nd Payton Jordan
3rd Toss-up among Charles Allie, Steve Robbins, Larry Colbert, Roderick Parker, Val Barnwell, and Bob Lida.
Anyone disagree?
For the women, I go with the following:
1st Phil Raschker
2nd Irene Obera
3rd Nadine O’Connor
Any disagreement?
It depends if you mean the “greatest” (which would be based on opinion) or the “fastest” and their frequency of fast times… Just going by the all time lists on mastersathletics.net, Payton Jordan easily ranks as the fastest in the age categories he competed in for the number of years he competed. Titles won is not always who is the fastest, as he been discussed on previous posts…due to the fact that apparently a number of World class individuals don’t make it to all the National and World meets. Point well taken. In addition, there are no drug tests done at all. Not to say that anyone you mentioned would ever be of question but my vote still goes to Payton. Haven’t researched the women yet.
Merlene Ottey has a few years to go, but she’s up there with the top women.
The most versatile, top of the line male sprinter is Bill Collins, no question from 60 through 400 meters….hard to top that.
Next question….what male runner, (in any age group), do you think would win a contest, based on using IAAF point tables…Running EVERY ONE of the running events that are competed at the outdoor Nationals/World Championships. You could base this on season pr’s if you want.
100,200,400,800,1500, steeplechase, 5000 and both hurdles. In other words, the best athlete on two legs? lets skip the marathon…lol
Merlene is Jamaican, I believe. Peter was talking just from the U.S.
Common sense dictates that Mr. Collins was saying he was at 80%, not his time was 20% slower as you assumed…..and actually if you ran at 80% of the rate of speed of 9.58 the time would not be faster but slower ..close to 11.481 I believe but you can check my math I am not a math teacher ..only a lowly track coach for the past 25 years……got to love these Anonymous comments. They are always so amusing …they make me laugh which helps build up my immune system which may inturn help me recover from this mornings fun and nasty 400 meter workout…..Have a Great Day All …Hope to see all In Boston. Keeping it Light, Sully
ps Mr. Collins, You know your one of the best in the world when you get ripped by one these Anonymous jokers. One day I too want to be a comedian…. Great job in the Worlds, Mike Sullivan
Nobody here ripped Collins. Where did you see that? What are you reading into the “anonymous comments”? Just curious. Everyone in this thread only gave out well deserved compliments.
Sorry Anonymous, I must have responded to another anonymous, that may be the problem with individuals responded Anonymously. Have a Great Day All
Sorry, Mr. Smarty Pants, but I’m Anona Mouse not anonymous.
The day that people think that Val Barnwell is a faster or greater sprinter as a master than Willie Gault is the day I will pole vault with my javelin! btw, I define “master” as someone who is a certain age…that is the sole criteria. It’s not a popularity contest.
Val Barnwell has done a lot more in masters track than Willie Gault has. On the other hand, Gault’s performances have been better. Hmmm…don’t remember seeing Willie Gault at Oshkosh (2009), Spokane (2008), Orono (2007), Charlotte (2006), Honolulu (2005), Decatur (2004….guess he is not much interested in coming to our meets.
Oh, I see. To be considered as one of the greatest masters sprinters of all time and place yourself above someone slower, there are certain meets to attend. Like I read on an earlier post, financial reasons as well as time away from your job can inhibit one’s attendance. Point well taken. It’s not just about Willie Gault, on that regard. Many others have the same challenge. But it doesn’t mean they are not a faster sprinter.
I cannot believe that the importance of a title, when, for example you don’t even have enough runners who up to make a final in some National Championship events is of the utmost criteria. When we have a “real” National Championships with qualifying standards and full respect of the running community (which means they show up to it)then winning the Nationals will mean more.
Also, Are you saying that you would rank a sprinter whose fastest legal time in the 100 or 200 (like Val Barnwell) doesn’t crack the top 10 list of another runner at the same age (like Gault)? I wouldn’t. It’s not like Barnwell is that much older than Gault either.
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