Doug Smith reports from Canada that his countrymen aren’t aboot to take the WMA picks for IAAF Masters of the Year quietly. Doug reports that masters champion Diane Palmason writes “to question the headline on the front page of the November 2006 issue (of National Masters News) with regard to Bill Collins being selected for the IAAF Best Masters of the Year 2006 award. Collins is an exceptional athlete, and did have a good season in 2006, following many other years of excellent performances.” But there’s a big but coming.

Diane continues:
“However, I would debate whether he is the World’s Best Male Masters Athlete. My nomination for that award, certainly for 2006, would be Ed Whitlock, who set four World Records on the track in a one-week period last July.
“You have those details on page 16 of the September NMN: 5000m – 19:07.02; 10,000m – 39:25.16; 3000m – 11:10.43; and Mile – 5:41.80. Then, on September 25, Ed broke the M75+ World Record for the marathon with a 3:08:35 in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I haven’t checked the World Records for all age-groups, but I doubt that very many athletes hold World Records for the mile and the marathon – and three other distances in between. Ed’s 5000m time is an age-graded 98.3%; his 10,000m is 98.6%.
“I understand that all these records were run in meets and events in Canada — not in a WMA or other international meet. Therefore Ed was not eligible for the IAAF award. Collins is to be congratulated for his award, but the headline might better have described him as the best male masters athlete competing in a WMA event.”
Meanwhile, the Canadian female nominee for the same award is quoted by Doug as well.
Doug writes:
“Our NCCWMA Region nominated Bill Collins USA and Karla Del Grande CAN as WMA Athletes of the Year.
Bill was selected as the Male AOTY and Melitta Czerwenka-Nagel GER as the Woman AOTY.
Karla writes:
“Brian, my thanks to you and the NCCWMA for the nomination as the female regional candidate for the IAAF/WMA Best Masters of the Year 2006. It is truly an honour that I appreciate.
“I am so fortunate to be supported by so many friends in the OMTFA and CMAA advocating on behalf of athletes, keeping us informed, arranging meets, and so much more. I am also fortunate to have great coaching by Bruce Mitchell, and support in the way of friendships and training tips from many fellow athletes.. I treasure the friendships I have made with inspiring athletes from all around the world, but especially with the women across Canada that I’ve come to know. I’m also fortunate to be supported by my husband, Al LePage. All of these people have played a part in the success that I have had.
“One of my greatest satisfactions from my participation in this sport is influencing my students and other women of my age, or older, in pursuing their dreams, encouraging them to do their best in whatever passion they choose. I am humbled when women I’ve met tell me that they have begun walking or running because of my example. I hope this in some way pays back some of the benefits that I’ve received.
“Thanks again for the great honour.”
Me again:
If nothing else, the Canadians have world-class class.