Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

M45 Whiteman wipes out Sal Allah’s 800 WR with leisurely 1:53.40

The best bet for a WR this outdoor season was the M45 800. The listed record of 1:54.18 has been held since 2005 by American Saladin “Sal” Allah. That’s because Britain’s Anthony Whiteman dipped under 1:53 indoors in February. Well Tony the Track Tiger did it Saturday. Athletics Weekly reports (and results confirm): “Whiteman ran […]

May 12, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Have a yen for World Masters Games? Kansai, Japan, hosts in 2021

Former Kiwi decathlon champion Grant Chapman, now a New Zealand Herald correspondent, covered the Auckland World Masters Games and also competed in the discus — where he fell to fourth after being in the medal hunt. Great yarn. But at the end of his story, he writes: “So now that’s over, what next? Should I […]

May 11, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Charles Eugster dies at 97; newbie sprinter inspired with book, WRs

Sad to report the death of a shooting star. Charles Eugster of Britain, who took up sprinting at 95 and became a viral video sensation and Daegu world champion, has died at 97 of complications from heart failure, according to Athletics Weekly and his own website. “His son, Andre, spoke briefly to say: ‘We fully […]

May 10, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Adri Schoeman, Salomé Vermeulen pace Safrican masters nationals

South Africa held its masters nationals over the weekend in Cape Town, and results are posted here. I scrolled through fast and came across some impressive marks — basically anything over 90 percent age-graded. Two women stood out: W45 Adri Schoeman won the 100 and 200 in legal 12.62 and 25.64. And W50 SalomĂ© Vermeulen […]

May 9, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Torbert’s WR throw: ‘Everything clicked, and the shot felt very light’

Before Doug Torbert entered the ring in Eugene on April 30, the listed M65 world record in the shot (5-kilo) was 15.90 (52-2). After he ended his six throws at the Hayward Masters Classic, the Redlands resident had crushed Kurt Goldschmidt’s mark twice — first with a 16.27 (53-4 1/2) and later with a monster […]

May 8, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  10 Comments

Who’s your healthy longevity role model: Ed Whitlock or Earl Fee?

My Canadian author friend Bruce Grierson wrote the definitive book on Olga Kotelko, who died at 95 after setting a slew of WRs. Now Bruce tackles an interesting question: Should older athletes emulate Ed Whitlock or Earl Fee? His amazing piece in the Globe and Mail of Toronto is headlined: “Ed Whitlock the tortoise, Earl […]

May 7, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Suzy Favor Hamilton ‘definitely would’ be running 8, 15 at age 50

In February 2016, I wrote here about an Olympian with a mental illness who briefly led a life as a high-priced Las Vegas call girl. I gave it the headline: “Memo to Suzy Favor Hamilton: Masters track would welcome you.” I noted her account on the BBC website, and I posted my invitation on her […]

May 6, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Wikitrack R Us: Here are links to all-comers meets around America

Andy Hecker used to maintain a North American calendar of all-comers meets. But due to complexity and other factors, he hasn’t posted in five years. No worries. Why not crowd-source what we know? Let’s start here. The San Diego USATF Association is reprising its five-meet Summer Nights Track & Field series in June and July. […]

May 5, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Hayward WRs to Colleen Milliman, Doug Torbert, Christa Bortignon

A month ago, a newspaper in Roseburg, Oregon, told of a training group at Hayward Field in Eugene and said Colleen Milliman “wants to set a running record for 90-year-olds.” Over the weekend, it was mission accomplished! Colleen became the first woman over 90 to record a time for the track mile (indoors or out) […]

May 4, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Hazardous hurdles at Hayward Masters Classic: put in wrong spots

Photos and videos from last weekend’s Hayward Masters Classic in Eugene are now posted. Happy! Also shared are images and clips of the last flight of 80-meter and 300-meter hurdles at the wrong spots. Sad! (We’re still waiting on results as well.) Not sure how this can happen at such a prestigious meet, but several […]

May 3, 2017   Posted in: Uncategorized  22 Comments