How I beat 10-year-old speedster for dream end to 2013 season
It’s official. I’m a fifth-grader in terms of speed. On Saturday, the Red and Black All-Comers Meet at San Diego State University charged $10 for all-you-can-eat competition. I got my money’s worth in the 60-meter dash. Held in cool temps (about 55 degrees) with the clouds about to open, my heat pitted me against a pair of grade-schoolers. The spikes-wearing lad in Lane 4 got the jump on me and led for at least 30 meters, but I bore down, lengthened my stride and prevailed by a couple feet. I was ecstatic, and dozens of bleacher creatures went wild upon my dip-at-the-tape effort. I yelled “59! 59!” and the third-place kid, possibly irked at my hot-dogging, said: “What does 59 mean?” I shared the news with glee at home, and wrote to meet director Rick Reaser for the phototimer shot. Rick gave me the address of timer Jim Waters, who graciously provided this image for the ages. Now my goal is to work on speed — so I can beat a sixth-grader next time. My fantasy: The runner-up becomes Olympic champ.
Even with horribly disfigured right leg, I still beat this 10-year-old at SDSU.
7 Responses
Way to go Ken! Love the finish photos.
This may serve as an audition for the new game show, “Are you Faster Than a Fifth Grader?”
Ken, Haha. I know they thought they had you. Way to pull it out.
Too funny! Way to turn on the jets!
Great story Ken! I’m going to a developemental meet in Wisconsin in January. I hope I can beat someone, anyone!
Isn’t the kid in second wearing Oscar Pistorius artificial blades?
And Ken, you seem to be quick at gathering finish line timer photos- how about volunteering to do that for all national/world record setting sprinters who need their photo for verification purposes?
I’m laughing out loud here Ken. Great image. Fantastic commentary! Looking forward to seeing what other images our Masters community will submit.
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