Masters races at nationals a SoCal TC lovefest?
No Roger Kingdom. No Renaldo Nehemiah. No Greg Foster. No wonder. The masters men’s 110 hurdles exhibition race at the USATF open nationals next week still has record-setting potential, but the big names hinted by event organizer Mark Cleary are a no-show, at least according to USATF’s Status of Entries page. Still, the SoCal Track Club is well-represented — with almost a third of the entrants.
Point of interest: Three of the women and one of the men set for these races are members of Cleary’s SoCal Track Club.
Here is the lineup for the masters 110 hurdles — which will be set at 39-inch masters height (as I learned over the weekend from Willie Gault):
David Ashford SoCal Track Club 13.90
Jerome Cadoret Speedwest Track Club 14.78
Dexter McCloud Atlanta Track Club 14.79
Henry Andrade unattached 14.80
John Hoyt unattached 14.80
Willie Gault apparently hasn’t submitted a mark yet, but he told me last Saturday that he’ll be in the Carson race. That means Ashford will have to step up a notch to keep even with a guy who ran a wind-aided 10.59 for the 100 at last weekend’s SCA meet. (Meet director Andy Hecker says the wind registered 2.8 mps — well over the legal limit of 2.0.)
Willie is capable of destroying Ashford’s current M40 world record of 13.73. A low 13.2s is possible, given his speed.
As far as the other entrants — Henry Andrade was a 1996 Olympian in the 110s (for the tiny island nation of Cape Verde), and Dexter McCloud is a national masters champ (indoors) with lots of good times over the years.
But Hoyt is a pole vaulter and Cadoret is ranked as a discus thrower. (And how curious that they both submit marks around 14.80 — the exact qualifying standard for the race set out by USATF.) Velly intelesting.
In the women’s masters 1500 exhibition, here is the lineup so far:
Karen Steen Club Northwest 4:43.00
Mary Grene SoCal Track Club 4:44.00
Mary Thane Mountain West Track Club 4:48.00
Lisa Davis Track West 4:54.00
Carrie Sherburne SoCal Track Club 4:55.00
Lorraine Jasper SoCal Track Club 4:57.00
Sheri Wright Running Republic of Boulder 4:59.00
Terri Cassel Fleet Feet Sports Tulsa LLC 5:00.00
Most of these women are legitimate studs — especially Thane, who was second in the masters 800 race at the Olympic Trials last year. But what’s up with all these xx.00 marks? I doubt all these races are hand-timed. Very curious.
11 Responses
Easy way to solve the problem.
Remove the masters exhibition events from USA Nationals, and have the athletes all meet at the indoor or outdoor Masters Nationals every year.
Ken, I think my club and I have recieved enough bassing from you at this point. All of the people my club has in the Invitational races have run the times and deserve to be there–so shut up already. Roger Kingdom regretfully declined about 5 days ago–he is a new head coach and has a ton on his plate–the fact that I was going after some of the great names in hurdling–you fault me for that–your just the typical media guy with nothing better to do then take pot shots at others, but what have you done–first get all the facts before you write this stuff–as usual your off base–Mark Cleary
I agree with Steve 100%. In Canada, the para-Olympic athletes gets the exhibition slots at Nationals.
It’s rare to get Masters exhibitions… the Kajaks relays in Richmond, BC, used to have a Masters mile, but was replaced with Wheelchair 800m and Blind 400m this year.
M 40 age group does not run over 42″ Hurdles why would Ken think we would be running anything but 39″ hurdles. I make no apologies that 3 of my women and one of my men have made the fields–they met the time standard–so what’s the issue. Mark Cleary
By the way my club had one female and no men in the last exibition event at Indoors. When you have a srong club you are going to have athletes that can make these tough standards that goes with the territory. Anyone with half a brain can figure that out–but there are those who choose to turn things like that into a political football–I’m just trying to do the best job I can as a coach ,administrator and an athlete.
Steve you are 100% RIGHT….ALL the “superstars” of Masters T and F can meet head to head TWICE a year…FAT timing etc etc….AND REALLY support MASTERS ATHLETICS by participation in OUR Masters National Championships….incredibly simple..thanks for bringing some clarity to this issue
Mark is doing a great job. It is difficult to get everyone together healthy and fast after 40. These are some of the best athletes in our Masters ranks. Keep up the good work!
Go Karen (Steen) Go!!
After reading and hearing about all these exhibition races as to what is right and what is wrong I feel it is now time for the over 60 year old athletes to speak out! With proper notification in advance to my friends and fellow competitors the right thing to do is have athletes like Larry Colbert, Bob Lida, Mack Stewart, Roger Pierce, Kenny Dennis, Steve Robbins,Paul Edens, Emil Pawlick, Paul Johnson and a host of many other great and proven old timers a chance to show the younger generation that after 25 years of competing in the masters programs they still can be as competitive as any one else involved in track. It can be done and should be done for the well being of the masters program! The younger guys will apprieciate what is being done for the old timers !! Looking foward to seeing them all at one of the next exibition races outdoors.
Dear Richard Rizzo….you can “look forward” to a 60 and over race as long as you want its not going to happen. Cleary will not include the older age groups in “his” program.This is quite clear from his history with the event He will give you some great excuses too. Isnt it incredible that the entire concept of Masters athletics was to give older athletes a chance to compete and Cleary discriminates AGAINST the older athlete..his response to this will be that i am “picking”on him….i have consistantly attempted to get recognition for YOU older athletes (ie: a RACE ) but i have received little or no support for this idea. I sincerely feel you older athletes deserve recognition and respect..you certainly have mine.. Watching and meeting some of the older athletes at the Penn Relays is always a thrill for me. You are the people who “blazed” the trails i now find myself on..Phil Felton does an incredible job of giving EVERYONE a chance at the Penn Relays..Hes open to suggestions and quick to respond to the needs of athletes…Phil is the person in the USA who REALLY advocates for ALL masters athletes…He is a treasure to masters Track and Field..
Tony Young…Mark is doing a great job for whom??You seem to get a lot of exposure at these events did you ever think perhaps other age groups deserve the chance that you have been give?? Given SEVERAL times in fact!! Am i accurate when i say you have run in 4 of these “exhibitions”? Your talent in NOT in question with me or any other athlete but do you think it might be fair to give the older athletes ie: OVER 60 a chance too? Yes its true you young guys represent some of the best talent in Masters T and F but you DO NOT REPRESENT ALL THE TALENT by a long shot….
You are right. I have run my fair share of these exibition events (Boston Indoor 3000 and 1000), (Drake Mile), (Olympic Trials 800). I have been lucky enough to actually win them all against some stiff competition (the likes of Brian Pope, John Hinton, Pete Magill and many others!).
I don’t petition for these events. I have been asked over the years, and then try to schedule it in if possible. I would hope that opportunities would exist for ALL age levels, not just the kids in the 40+ age bracket. I don’t know the answer. I personally try to promote Masters track whenever possible.
Good luck with your season.
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