Carla Hoppie of the mom-and-son track pair in Oregon struck gold in Boston last week, winning the W50 pentathlon at nationals. Not long after returning, she completed a questionnaire I sent her a few weeks ago in the middle of exams at Eastern Oregon University. Here she confirms that she’ll compete at the Riccione world outdoor championships in September — a meet that many masters will miss because of conflicting work schedules at schools. But Carla will have a note for her professors: “Sorry, I was away in Italy getting extra credit.”

Here’s my Q&A with the incredible Carla:

What’s your track history? I note you were part of the 4×8 record relay team many years ago.
Yes I was a part of a 4×8 record relay. It was four good running friends all from Las Vegas. I dropped down into the age group to run with them. I think that was 1998 or 1999, so I was 41 or 42.
My track history goes back to high school (Centralia HS, in Centralia, Washington; 1971-1975). I ran the 440 my freshman year (as Carla Burks) because nobody else would run it. I won (72 sec) and kept improving. I ran 60.0 (converts to 59.7, I think) on dirt (440) as a sophmore (1973) and held the school record for 20 years, when it was broken by one-tenth of a second after an all-weather track was installed at the school. I decided to try the 880 that summer and ran 2:23 my first try and was running 2:19 by the end of the summer and still hold the school record at 800m today at 2:17.6.
I also ran the 50y, 60y, 100y (11.4), 200m (25.7), long jump (16′ ?”) and the mile relay. I qualified for state all four years of high school and medaled in the 100, 440, 200 (and) 880 and mile relays. My highest place was first in the mile relay and second on the 880. I also ran on the boys JV cross country team. We did not have girls cross at that time.
I recieved a scholarship to Spokane Falls Community College after graduating in 1975 and stayed for just one semister. I struggled academically. My running was sporadic until about age 25 and after I had my two sons. I discovered through my job at the Mirage by competing in an event called corporate challenge that I really missed track and found out about masters track.
My first national meet was in Spokane in 1996. I was running well and was so impressed with the people and the program I ended up going to the world meet in South Africa in 1997. I entered the 200, 400, and 800 and ended up sixth in the 400.
I also discoverd that maybe my real event was the heptathlon. I had a bad injury in 1999 and have gone to some other national meets and also the first indoor worlds in Germany in 2004
Have any other kids involved in sports?
I have another son, Kurtis (18, senior in high school). He, like Chris, has been running sinse 1995. He mostly did 800m up to 5k but now is running the 200 and the 400 and is on the 4×1 relay at La Grande HS. His PRs are . . . 1500 in 4:42, mile in 4:56 and 3000 in 10:07 (at age 11). Age 12: 5k 17:59. Age 16: 800 in 2:04. Age 17: 200 in 23.1 and long jump 19-11. Age 18: 400 in 51.1.
What happened to Chris’ dad? He’s not listed on his bio page.
Their dad (Steve) and I were divorced in 1991 and he died in 1994. Chris was in third grade and Kurtis a kindergartner. My dad is not listed either, but he is still here at 82, and my mom is 85. They are both very active.
What sports did you do as a kid? Any highlights?
I grew up on a farm and rode horses. I did 4-H horse shows. I also liked to ride motorcycles. My brother did motocross. Ever since I can remember I wanted to be in the Olympics. I loved running. I always won the running events at our grade school playdays.
Are you helping coach EOU teammates?
No, but maybe in the future. I helped coach the Las Vegas Lizards youth team for about 6 years, and I believe we will have a youth team in La Grande this summer. I will help with that.
What’s your best event?
I think my best event is the 800, but I guess the multis would fall in there too. My favorite event is the 200.
As a new W50, what are your goals for this age group?
My goal for this year is to go to the world championships in Riccione, Italy, in September. I will compete in the heptathlon and maybe a couple of other events. My long-term goal for this age group is to stay healthy and do the best I can. I hope to get better at all my events but just don’t know how much I can improve as I get older.
Can you beat Chris in any event?
Not since he was about 10. He’s awesome
What are Chris’ best marks?
At age 16:.5k 16:11 3000m 10:11 Mile 4:22. As a freshman at Clackamas CC: 800 in 1:59, 400 in 49.2, 200 in 22.1, 100 in 11.2? (Also:) H.J. 6’6″ L.J. 22’3″ S.P. 38′ Jav 175′ P.V. 13′ 6″ 60m HH 7.78 110m HH 15.77 DEC 6300 I don’t know what his discus is, but it is a weak event for him.
How many years of collegiate eligibility do you have, and will you use them up?
I have four and, yes, I plan to use them all as long as I’m able to.
What’s your line of work?
I have been a waitress for 23 years and worked at the Mirage at the California Pizza Kitchen for the last 17 years.
Do you live with Chris up in La Grande, or have separate lodging?
We all live in the same apartment, Kurtis too, at the moment. But I think Chis will get his own apartment after the summer.
What’s the best part of being on a college track team at your age?
You might think this is funny, but I love the locker room. It is just so cool. But really I just like being on the team — training, riding the bus to meets and just being around everybody. I guess it’s all the things I missed when I had the opportunity in the first place.

Here’s Carla (on the left) with her pentathlon pal Joy Upshaw-Margerum at Boston: