Masters track returning to California State Games in 2010

After perhaps a four-year absence, masters track returns to the California State Games next year, reports Lauren Brosamer, a marketer for the event. She writes: “In the 2010 California State Games we are adding an Open/Masters division in track and field. The meet will take place Friday, July 9, 2010, in San Diego. The first event is racewalk and will start at 8 a.m. As of right now we are unsure about the location. It will either be at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad or at Mesa College (in San Diego) if the track is built in time. All of the meet information can be found on our website.  Interested athletes can call our office any time at 619-223-2033 for additional (info).” The last time oldsters were in the event — in 2006 in San Diego — M50 NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton blitzed a 4 in 51.75 (just off the WR). Thankfully, the State Games won’t clash with Sacramento USATF masters nationals (July 22-25).


Lauren also writes:

One very unique thing about the California State Games is our Opening Ceremonies held at Qualcomm Stadium on Friday night, July 9. We have about 5,000 athletes from every sport parade through the tunnel onto to the field, home of the San Diego Chargers! The ceremony is filled with fun entertainment and then everyone will watch as we light the cauldron to signify the start of the Games.

Moreover, she reports:

Just a reminder, in 2011 we are hosting the State Games of America and so athletes from all over the country will be coming to participate. This event takes place in San Diego August 4-7, 2011. We want to make sure we get the word out for this event as well! If athletes qualify in 2010, than they qualify for the 2011 State Games of America.

So I’m guessing that the 2011 State Games of America has forced the California State Games to add masters track.

Dodged a schedule bullet here as well.

Sacramento hosts the 2011 World Masters Athletics Championships on July 6-17 — a few weeks before the San Diego meet. And in 2011, Houston will hold the National Senior Games — probably June 19-July 5.

Another embarrassment of riches for us.

Print Friendly

November 19, 2009

8 Responses

  1. Ken Sluys - November 19, 2009

    It sounds like something that I might like to do, especially since I have family in San Diego. But I went their web site, checked under Athlete Eligibility and found this:
    “An athlete must be a California resident for 30 days prior to the first day of competition.
    Exception: College students or military personnel who attend a California school or usually reside in California may participate. Age and skill level requirements are established by each sport’s Governing Body or Commissioner.”
    Is there any chance that it will be opened to Masters atheletes from other areas of the country as well? Or did I miss some other eligibility information from some other part of the web site?

  2. Ken Sluys - November 19, 2009

    Just a bit more information. I called the office for the California State Games, and they said that in all liklihood it would be all right for me (and presumably other Masters from other states) to attend and participate. What they would do is contact the State Games officials from your home state to see if they had any problem with you competing in the California State Games. If your home State Games officials do not have a problem, then they would allow you to compete.

  3. Karen Vaughn - November 20, 2009

    So…we again get to pick between meets scheduled on the same weekend?
    http://www.scausatf.org/masters/schedule.htm
    This time the tables are turned. Mark Cleary secured the date for the West Regional Championship Meet first. So, that’s probably the one I’ll go to.

  4. Jerry Smartt - November 21, 2009

    I entered the Florida Masters T&F meet but was told that I had to live in Florida. At the time, I was a member of a Florida club AND registered with the Florida USATF Assn. Why can’t a track meet be just that? Open to all. I hope that the San Diego meet accepts ALL entries. Jerry

  5. Mark Cleary - November 21, 2009

    Jerry, we accept all entries from anywhere in the World for the USATF West Region T & F Championships and in the last 5 years it has rivaled the Hayward Classic as the largest and most competitive meet in the country outside of the USATF National Outdoor Champs- I encourage anyone who is considering coming into town to do both meets if your scedule will allow–that would be three days of competition two weeks before Nationals in Sacramento, which will be a 4 day format-should be a great tune up–Mark

  6. Jerry Smartt - November 22, 2009

    Thanks, Mark, for the info/reply. The Smartt Zoo, 3 dogs and 2 cats, precludes time away from home but I’ll be at Sacramento. Jerry

  7. Tony Echeandia - November 23, 2009

    Gentlemen I would like to compete in one or both of these meets, what are the dates for both meets? I have competed in California and always had a great experience, I recommend the meets in California to anyone interested.

  8. Mary Woo - November 24, 2009

    Hi all- just adding to the “riches.” The 3rd Annual Western States Masters Invite/Sacramento Senior Games will be held July 9-11th, 2010 at UC Davis. Hope you all read the article about our meet in the current issue of National Masters News. See you there!

Leave a Reply