American masters age-group records added to Wikipedia site
Andy Hecker is relentless. First he posts a world masters records page on Wikipedia. Now he’s done the same for American records. (See his latest work here.) Andy writes: “Here’s my Christmas gift to the masters community. I waited until it was a little more complete this time. There is still a lot of information missing, but a major improvement on what is on the USATF site. I’ll open this up to the community to help fill in the blanks. If anybody does not know how to edit on Wikipedia, feel free to send me the information.” This is amazing. Although it’s unofficial, this compilation is likely to get far more attention than USATF’s full-of-holes site. And since it can be updated in real time, we’re likely to see new records posted faster. Of course, the honor system is in force. But if I have to choose between occasional errors and wholesale incompetence, I’ll take Andy’s version.
6 Responses
Thank you, Andy, for your hard work. And thank you for including your e-mail. One unlisted mark that immediately comes to mind is Aaron Thigpen’s 10.60 FAT in the 100 dash (wind 1.6+) in a little California meet they call the Mt. SAC Relays. Aaron tried to get the officials at Mt. SAC to cooperate but they would not (or so I understand).
This is interesting because the rulebook calls for an official to process the records. Aaron achieved the mark on April 15, 2007.
On the M55 800, let us not forget Horace Grant’s 2:06.37 FAT at the 2009 Senior Games in Palo Alto. A photo I saw had Horace wearing no. 1, which says to me that he began in lane 1 of this 2-lap race. Not a lot of officiating to do, I would say (in terms of possible lane violations, etc.). He ran 2:06.37, and that is that.
You have an all-comers mark for M55 from Nolan Shaheed that is superior to Horace’s, but that does not seem as reliable as a mark set at a national championship. Nolan, however, according to my dim recollection, also has a mark at a national club championship that is better than the existing mark and superior to Horace’s 2:06.37.
Mary Slaney’s W35 mile mark, by the way, was set at a minor meet in the East called the Penn Relays. Thus, the city (Philadelphia) can be entered in your list.
I just got up and have not had time to peruse the list, but I did notice that Kay Glynn’s W55 pole vault mark was included, which is heartening because it was set at a USATF championship (Pacific Association) and was authenticated by the officials at that meet.
Great again!
Aaron Thigpen’s mark of 10.60 in the 100 meters is for M40, of course. I was reminded of this issue when Kathy Bergen’s W70 mark of 14.76 set 3 years and 2 days later at the same meet seemed headed for an identical fate (failure to approve). Fortunately, Christel Donley stepped in to work her magic and save the mark.
But a system that relies on magic to see that legitimate marks get accepted seems far short of what we need. Too bad that someone did not step in for Aaron in 2007; his mark is part of the permanent Mt. SAC database, but it has been lost to history.
I continue to be amazed by the encyclopedia mind of Peter Taylor. WOW!! Thanks for all of your efforts Andy, Peter, Ken, et al.!
I am in awe of the work you did on the World and American records. You even got my HJ of 1.35 set at Long Beach 2006 which was never recognized by the records committee. Wow!
I am also in awe of Peter’s incedible memory. Wow, again!
Thanks so much.
Aaron Thigpen’s mark of 10.60 in the 100 meters is for M40, of course. I was reminded of this issue when Kathy Bergen’s W70 mark of 14.76 set 3 years and 2 days later at the same meet seemed headed for an identical fate (failure to approve). Fortunately, Christel Donley stepped in to work her magic and save the mark. But a system that relies on magic to see that legitimate marks get accepted seems far short of what we need. Too bad that someone did not step in for Aaron in 2007; his mark is part of the permanent Mt. SAC database, but it has been lost to history.
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