Last July, I reported on a reality TV show concept revolving around masters track — up till age 52. Hadn’t heard much since. But now the show is a go for production. And the folks behind it have posted a poll asking if the age limit should be lifted. According to this press release, which cites Marion Jones and other steroid scandals, “T.R.A.C.K. (Top Resurrected Athletes Challenge-Ken) Live! is the ultimate, physical challenge allowing former high school track & field athletes ages 32 to 52 to compete for the glory once again. The discipline to get in shape and the drive to compete effectively under pressure will keep the audience wondering who will be up to the challenge.”

The release continued:

Show creator Julia Dudley Najieb is a former head track & field coach for almost 10 years in Fresno, Ca. who saw the need for an upliftment in the sport.
“My sport I grew up in is getting a bad rap and less and less high school and collegiate funding because of it. If we turn our focus onto the youth instead of individual attainment for glory, maybe athletes will have an understanding of what it means to be a role model versus a self-fulfilling ‘God’,” explained Dudley Najieb after hearing about her former high school competitor Jones.
The biggest idea of this reality show? Giving back to the community…
“We need to re-establish track & field for our children; they need to know about healthy competition and the fun of it—not the drive to be number one in every race,” said reality show C.O.R.E. committee member Samuel Germany, who is the USATF Vice-President & former UNLV track & field coach.
“It’s all about healthy competition and individual improvement and achievement.”
Although the show was thought of by Dudley Najieb over two years ago, she would often share it with her coaching staff and friends to help mold the vision into a reality.
“There’s nothing like that out there on TV yet,” said Tarsha Handy Stewart, Dudley Najieb’s friend and former high school teammate who is helping with the show. “People do not realize how much work is put into training for the athletes who do not use steroids—that’s drama in itself.”
When Dudley Najieb was questioned about involving (Marion) Jones in the show, ironically she had been trying to reach Jones prior to the decision not to include her as a show host or commentator.
“I knew something was wrong when she was avoiding our calls and emails, and only her husband, Obadele Thompson, was responding to our representative,” explained Dudley Najieb. “My brother was persistent in contacting her; something told us to back off, and that something wasn’t right with Jones—within a few days, Jones’s email came out about her steroid use.”
However show producers are not opposed to using Jones; they feel that her story will enlighten the youth.
“We still have a place for Jones on the show where it’s more of a rehabilitation effort for her and others in this sport to discuss the problem of steroid use in a forum dedicated to young athletes,” said Ann Marie Production executive producer Lennice Najieb.
TRACK Live! Producers have made contact with former Olympic athletes and coaches such as: Tommie Smith, Carl Lewis, 2008 Olympic Coach Bubba Thorton, Andrew Bloom, Michael Carter, Michael Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Gail Devers. They are still contacting landmark athletes such as Edwin Moses.
As the show is being shopped to networks, contestants are steadily signing up through the website and preparing for the first trial meet in Las Vegas, NV at UNLV May 17th & 18th. The top 18 competitors from each event from the Las Vegas trial meet will move on to the shows in Fresno, CA and compete in three meets in June. Contestants also have community tasks in between their rigorous workouts where they are judged on their people skills and sportsmanship—serving as role model athletes.

Deadline for entering the Las Vegas meets is coming up, says the site:

All online paperwork must be submitted by: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:59PM Pacific Standard time. Proof of medical clearance should be mailed to us by the postmarked date of April 20th. There are no exceptions; any physicals or online applications submitted after the deadline dates will not be reviewed.
Any incomplete applications will not be accepted; applicants will be notified of incomplete paperwork. All medical clearances should be signed by an official medical doctor and will be verified; send to Ann Marie Production, 4460 W. Shaw Ave. Box 389, Fresno, CA 93722, must be received by April 20th. If the medical clearance is not received by this date, then the entrant is automatically disqualified.
**Also, you must have proof of insurance or buy a USATF membership so that you are insured. You can get this membership on site when being reviewed by the sports medicine team from May14th to May 16th in Las Vegas, NV at UNLV.**

Just an FYI: Marion Jones probably won’t be involved in this show, since she reports to jail March 11 for a six-month stay.