On Monday morning, masters around the country received this note from an M55 sprinter in Fairfield, Ohio: “My name is Michael Daniels, a masters runner like many of you. I mostly compete in Ohio and Kentucky. When I am not injuried (sic) I go to one or more national meets. How would you like to go to a track meet and earn cash for yourself or your organization?” Michael went on to write about his “cash awards program,” saying: “Compete and earn cash from any track meet you compete at. I call it ‘Tour De Track’ masters track and field challenge. This is an Age Graded type program. For information go to www.masterstrackchallenge.com. This is a new concept. Check it out!” So I did. And so is USATF. They’re not digging it.

Neither are some of the people he contacted, including one who wrote me:

His Ponzi scheme is totally repulsive. . . . It is hard enough to keep Masters times and marks reported accurately. His system would encourage unethical behavior by masters.

When I notified USATF’s Indy headquarters, USATF legal eagle Kimberly Hicks replied with an email (subject line: Cease and Desist Letter Re: Masters Track Cash Awards).
Kim wrote me and USATF lawyer Lamont Jones:

The legal department received notification of your tip regarding a solicitation received from Michael Daniels about a “Masters Track Cash Awards.” We are trying to properly address this matter and ask that you forward the e-mail address, or any other contact information you may have, for Michael Daniels – from the looks of your tip, it looks as if the original solicitation came in the form of an e-mail. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Uh oh. Mike’s in trouble. Apparently, USATF doesn’t like the fact that Mike’s program requires USATF membership.
Before getting Kim’s note, I anticipated this problem. So I sent Mike some questions. Here is our Q&A:

Masterstrack.com: Why do entrants have to be USATF members?
Michael Daniels: Since most of the meets are sanctioned anyway, it will save them time if they have it before they start my program. This way also connects them with the governing body of track and field, in the USA, and gives support to their local and state program. Plus it gives them accident insurance at track meets and other membership perks. I did think of making it optional though.
Have you gotten permission from USATF to do this? If yes, who is your contact in Indy?
No! I have tried many months to get answers to questions pertaining to events sponsoring cash awards — no answers or responses. So I checked the Internet for insight from groups who have had meets with limited cash awards. After talking to a business planer, I decided to proceed with my plan.
What charities will this program support?
I decided early on to get the whole program center around giving back to Senior fitness programs and Masters track organization. Which ones depend on feedback from participants.
Do you have a tax ID from the IRS?
In process as of last Monday to get it done. I didn’t know it was going to be such a hassle to get it done. The local tax office sent me to do it on the phone to the State Office. They told me I could do it over the Internet. I get on the Internet and can’t find it on the government website. I’m not finalizing my program’s Entry Form until this is done.
Who else is involved in this program? Anyone helping you process results?
I project about 50-100 participants the first two months. If it gets bigger sooner my local CPA will be asked to help. I am also the accountant at my church and if more help is needed my assistant will help. Processing results should be easy. As results coming I place them in my formula and let MS Excel do the rest. I had a similar event like this for three years back in the 70s and no computer.
How are you promoting (advertising) this program?
Word of mouth and asking track clubs to look at my Web site for their opinion.
Have you done something similar in the past?
I have done events like this back in the 70s. I made my own age graded table. The meets were called handicap meets so kids could compete against their parents. It worked out great. I used the Decathlon point system and the age group world records for each event as a guide. I was 25 at the time. Had a small track club. One person showed up at the first meet. People thought it was going to rain. I gave him a trophy or something for showing up.
The next week we had about 25. Then 75. Then the last meet of the 5-week series over 400 entries. We got finished at midnight without lights. All volunteer help. I made sure I put a flyer on the local police and fire departments bulletin boards so we would have free security. Didn’t make a lot of money but had a lot of fun.
What is your day job?
School teacher’s aide in special education. I taught high school industrial arts back in the 70s and left teaching for industry in 1980. Did Computer Aided Design for a long time. Now I am looking for retirement someday. The only thing that has not changed in my life is my love for track. As a coach and a participant. I raised my two sons by going to track meets.
I see that you ran at Charlotte nationals. Congrats on being a fellow survivor! What are your best marks all-time?
Best marks all time.: Central State University of Ohio 1968 100 meter dash. NAIA Nationals as freshman 100m quarter-finals 10.39 did not make the next round. I came in third and Oliver Ford won my heat by tying the World Record. He pulled a muscle in the semi-heat and did not make the finals. I had an official time of 21.4 in the 200 and a hand-timed 21.0. I also had a split time in the 4×400 relay of 48+.
Running at Charlotte. After many years of overcoming previous year’s injuries I had a good year. That was my year to become #1 in the 100 meters, until I met Bill Collins at the Penn Relays. I still kept hope. Then 100 meters in Charlotte and the heat plus about 5-8 false starts, Bill Collins even had one. I finished in 5th and have been in pain every since (laugh). It really felt like a national meet. I had a great time. This year I will be 60 during outdoor season and I can go for #1 without Bill Collins. I just have to be healthy.
Where did you grow up, go to school, run track, etc.
Early days. I grew up in Hamilton, Ohio. Held school records in the 100-yard dash, 180 low hurdles and 100 low hurdles. At 5-6, I high jumped 6-0. Never went to state. Gymnastic and track were my sports. After high school 1967 I gave up Olympic gymnastics potential for track as a walk-on at Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. They wanted me to start a gymnastics team and give me a full scholarship. I was physically tired of gymnastics and I loved to run. I became their top sprinter my spring time.

Here’s what Mike’s site says about the program, under the umbrella of “Your Time Promotions”:

As YTP’s first project, we wish to promote and sponsor a Masters Track and Field and Senior fitness cash awards program. We are calling it “Masters Track Super Challenge Program”. The concept is to award top performers monthly with cash awards to the top 8 runners and top 8 field event persons who participate in our program. Also award cash donations to the Host track meet of where the winners participated.
Our requirements are, it is open to men and women age 30 and over through age over 85. You must be a member of USATF and pay an entry fee of $60 per Round or $25 per Section. The winners will be based on a performance scale with both genders and all ages combined. Winners will be chosen every month from Indoor and Outdoor USATF and Senior meets nation wide.
89% OF ALL ENTRY FEE MONEY GOES FOR AWARDS PLUS DONATIONS TO MASTERS AND SENIOR FITNESS PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE.
Based on 200 participates, nationwide, while placing in two events – win awards from $120 to over $480 monthly made availiable to the top 16 finishers. ( 8 from running events and 8 from field events). Rankings are based on percentage values as compared with the World Masters Records or Masters All-American Standard per your age group. The closer you get to your events Standard or World Record the higher your score and the better your chance of winning. This will be called a “Super Combined Challenge”.
All you do is pay our entry fee, go to the meet of your choice by paying their entry fee, participate at their meet then report your results to us. WE DO THE REST. What ever your results are that month your best results will count for that month. You will be limited to two awards ( Any combination ) per month. This allows for more winners of the cash awards.
The top 8 scores in running and top 8 scores in field events will be awarded monthly ( Limit two cash awards per person per section ). This means if you are really good you could win 6 times in a Round.( A Round is 3 Sections or 3 consecutive months) Also, after it has been identified where the winners achieved there results, that Hosting Meet Organization will also get a cash Award Donation for every top winner that came from their meet.

More details, in Mike’s words:

A Tour Round entry is $60. It last 3 months. You compete for three months and give us your results as you go each month. Option is $25 for a one month Section entry. You give us your results of all your meets for that month. Ranking and awards are done monthly. There are 4 Tour Rounds each lasting 3 months. You may pay in advance or only pay for the Tour Round you are in. 89% of all money goes to your awards and donations to senior fitness programs .
You may donate your winnings to a charity of your choice, if you so desire. Cash Awards will also go to Track Meet Organizations where the top 16 winners competed to earn their awards. If you don’t make the final 16 ( 8 runners and 8 field persons) at anytime of a Tour Round there will be a non-winners raffle for 5 cash awards at the end of Section C of each Tour Round. This is a Super Challenge event All Ages Are Combined. All participants will recieve a Certificate and a result sheet monthly.

Well. Quite an ambitious plan. Also kind of a compliment to masters track — since he thinks our small niche has enough bodies and bucks to support his project.
But I doubt it’ll go anywhere. And despite his professions of love for the sport, many people will question his venture. Money for prizes coming from the masters themselves? A recipe for monkey business.