All-time greats aiming for hurdle WR at Modesto?
Several weeks ago, I was informed of a masters exhibition hurdle race planned for the Modesto Relays in California. The genesis of the event was former Olympic decathlon champ Dan O’Brien’s interest in setting an M40 world record in the 110 hurdles. He wanted to shoot for it at Modesto, I was told. But when the meet’s date was changed from May 3 to May 10, O’Brien’s involvement because doubtful. That’s because Dan (now 41) coaches at Arizona State University, and the Pac-10 Conference multi-event championships is being hosted at ASU on May 10. (I wrote to ASU but never got a reply.) Anyway, Dan may not run, but other track legends might.
Here’s what the Modesto Bee reported about the masters events:
Also scheduled is a masters (40-older) 110-high hurdle race, but it’s not your basic all-comers workout. Already in training is a field of gold-medal golden oldies: Tony Dees, Willie Gault, Eugene Swift, Dan O’Brien, Roger Kingdom and others. The masters world record is 13.42, a time in jeopardy with such a cast.
“So many guys are interested in running. We might have to run two heats. They were just waiting the last few years for someone to do this. I’m glad we were the ones who stepped up,” (meet director Gregg) Miller said. “The guys are talking a lot of trash about this race, too. It should be fun.”
Of course, the M40 WR isn’t 13.42. (It’s 13.73 by David Ashford.) But if this event comes off as advertised, it will be a humdinger! A masters 100-meter dash also is slated.
Stay tuned.
5 Responses
According to a Modesto Bee column by Ron Agostini, Renaldo Nehemiah also may run the masters hurdles at Modesto Relays.
http://www.modbee.com/columnists/agostini/story/213260.html
I seriously doubt this, but I’m checking it out.
I got a definitive answer tonight from The Man himself!
Skeets writes:
Anything that you’ve heard of me running any Masters race is false. I retired in 1992, and I’m enjoying every moment of it.
I’m pleased to inform you that I have NO unfinished business to address by running any Master’s race. Fitness is a lifestyle for me, as I regularly workout 4-5 days a week. As a soon to be 49 year old, I’m very fit to run on my beloved treadmill.
As I’ve told Scott Davis (Mt Sac Relays) I am RETIRED.
Kind regards,
Renaldo
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FR: David E. Ortman, (M54) Seattle, WA
Could someone clarify whether they intend to run masters 39″ hurdles or open 42″ hurdles.
The masters hurdles will be run over 39-inch barriers, I have been told. Some of the entrants may be in their late 40s.
Alex Ryan, associate media relations director at Arizona State, wrote me:
“I talked to Dan (O’Brien) today and he said that right now, he is an undecided on the meet because that is the day we host the second day of the heptathlon and decathlon events at the Pac-10 Championships in Tempe.”
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