Clermont may give up 2009 nationals, Gary Snyder hints
Pure, unadulterated speculation on my part: The 2009 USATF masters outdoor nationals will NOT be held in Clermont, Florida. My evidence? A brief email from USATF Masters T&F Committee Chairman Gary Snyder today. In reply to a query about whether Clermont has signed a contract with USATF to hold the 41st masters nationals, Gary wrote me: “An announcement regarding Clermont will be sent in several days.” This is eye-opening. If Clermont were on track to host 2009 nationals, why would an announcement be necessary? Just to report a contract had been signed? When has THAT ever been necessary?
It could be that negotiations are under way for Spokane to host a second year in a row, or perhaps the runner-up pick — Mt. San Antonio College and Cal Poly Pomona — will come to the rescue.
Just FYI: A month ago, I wrote Don DeNoon, the original Clermont meet director, who left the National Training Center, site of the Clermont meet.
Don wrote me after the poorly received WMA regionals: “My vision for the facility was so much different than what was presented (at the 2006 annual meeting where Clermont was selected). My apologies for making the bid.”
Enough said. Stay tuned.
23 Responses
I vote for Mt Sac. Great facility and the weather may be cool in Mid July.
Spokane, Mt.Sac, Eugene, Hawaii, or Orano would be nice.
How about San Jose City college. They have a new very fast mondo track
It was held there in 96 or 97?
San Jose hosted nationals in 1997 (I know becuz that’s where I won my only golds — in the 4×1 and 4×4). However, USATF isn’t about to re-invent the wheel. Spokane would be a good safe bet.
Matt, San Jose does not have a Mondo surface. It’s possible we may be going back to Spokane they have agreed to host the meet if that’s what USATF wants.We will know very soon I would say within two weeks the potential sites that will vy for consideration. It is not offical that Florida is out of the game, but we expect news on that very soon. I will be requesting at the convention in Reno that the athletes have more imput in regard to the National Championship site selection. Many times the people voting for the site selection at the convention are Association representitives that are administrators not athletes or have been athletes so long ago that they don’t have a good feel for athlete friendly venues.There has been some talk of having a 4 or 5 year rotation between places that have done a good job with our meet. I know that the Spokane and Oreno folks would like to see that happen.I know that I would like to put forward a bid for Mt. Sac, but it looks like that will not be possible for 2009–it may work for 2011 or 2012. I know that there is a private Univerity in Ohio that has one of the top 5 mondo surfaces in the U.S. and they are intersted in bidding (My personal feeling on that is that we have not been to the Mid West for a few years (Decatur 2004)and Ohio would be economical and a great facility, I would like to see them get the National meet soon). That’s my two cents and I have a pretty good idea of the current situation.
My wife and I loved Spokane this year. I agree with Fahey. What wonderful news! Can’t wait now!
Sorry Matt I didn’t see the word “new” in regard to San Jose state having a Mondo track. The fact that Sacramento will be hosting the 2010 Nationals really makes it an up hill battle for another California bid to win if Florida falls through for 2009.
Spokane would be better than Florida for sure. Hopefully the weather will be better and the few problems that were encountered (packet pickup a good distance from the track, delays in the time schedule which was unrealistic in the first place) won’t occur. If so, could be an EXCELLENT national meet and even top the very good one from last year.
Would the dates of the meet remain the same or would it revert back to August?
After this year’s track season ended up being quite long, I would prefer it in July closer to other masters and collegiate meets.
I vote for the private university in Ohio!!! It’s a very nice facility. They hosted quite a few major events there. The only problem is that there are not many hotels close by. Downtown Cleveland or the airport hotels might be a good option.
Are we talking Oberlin in Ohio?
Are we talking Oberlin in Ohio?
This (wild speculation) is fun, and it’s good to see Mellow Johnny back on the board after a period of hibernation.
Oberlin. Don’t know whether Oberlin is under consideration or not, but the mention of this venerable institution of higher learning got me on the weather kick again. Here are average highs and lows for July (J) and August (A) for Oberlin as well as some places we have been recently (or thought we were going in 2009):
Oberlin: (J) 60 to 83; (A) 58 to 81.
Clermont: (J) 71 to 90; (A) 71 to 91.
Eugene: (J) 51 to 81.
Spokane: (J) 55 to 82; (A) 55 to 83.
Orono: (J) 56 to 80; (A) 55 to 78.
I insist, of course, that the temperature is an imperfect measure of what we really care about, which is human suffering and, in our case, exposure to danger. In the case of Clermont, for example, I insist that a temp of 91 or 92 degrees will bring you to your knees if you stay out in it long enough. Not so in many other areas of the US.
On a very serious note, I never got a count of the heat injuries suffered by our athletes in 2005 (Honolulu). Nor did I get a count for 2006 (Charlotte), although it had to be far larger. I do know that one athlete (M40, 5000 meters) came very close to death in 2006. In 2008 in Clermont (WMA Regionals), it was reported that a woman in the cross country race collapsed and lay many minutes in the sun before being given some medical attention. I do not know whether she suffered any permanent damage.
In light of these unfortunate events I recommend that each outdoor site be required to submit a “heat plan” in which it discusses in detail how it will deal with heat emergencies. I recommend also that we have a “heat injuries committee” that would review the plans. Don’t know who would be on it, but I do know that Richard Watson (MD, Tulane Univ.), the well-known all-arounder from Arizona, would be a logical choice. The fine sprinter from Pennsylvania, Allan Tissenbaum (MD, McGill Univ., Canada) would also be an excellent choice. In addition, the highly regarded Bob Bowen (MD, Univ. of Illinois), who has done so well in the sprints over the years, would fit very well.
We do have to think about the bad with the good.
Average high in Clermont in July is 92, not 90 as I erroneously posted. Sorry. And it does make a difference.
Great to be back on the boards, PT. And thanks for the kind words. Between the start of the school year and the lack of “big” topics post-Spokane, I definitely hibernated a bit. But this possible change from Clermont got me perked up again!
You’re absolutely right about weather and temperature being a BIG factor for where nationals is. Spokane did a really good job and I don’t want to take away from the meet they put on. But the weather wasn’t ideal, particularly for a steeplechaser like myself in the middle of the day. Now, the data you show is promising that it wouldn’t always be like that. In fact, any of those locations besides Clermont looks appealing to me.
2 thoughts:
1) How do the East Coasters feel about a return to Spokane? As I mentioned on the message boards, I wouldn’t be thrilled with back-to-back national meets in Orono. So while for me, Spokane is a close location, looking big picture, I think that a Midwest location would be more fair even though, personally, it would be a bigger hit on my wallet.
2) How much talk has there been of moving the steeple to the morning/night? I think they do a great job with putting the racewalks, 5K, and 10K in the morning. 1500 was at a more ideal time of day than the ‘chase as well.
re the heat at Clermont – the woman who collapsed during the x-c was left with little medical attention out in the sun for some time. Eventually an ambulance arrived with medical help. She was transported to a hospital and held overnight.
All this – with a hospital close by – a 10 minute walk. What on earth were they thinking?
Medical help was scarce in fact just about invisible most of the time-but unlike Charlotte – there was plenty of water – at no charge!! And there was a fair amount of shade from tents which let us get out of the sun but not out of the heat and humidity.
Never the less – it was tough in the sun and humidity – and a very long walk uphill after competition. Without a car – the closest hotel was a good 30 min walk in full sun. Clermont to a track meet – ever. The location of the track is totally inappropriate – no housing is close, there is no shade other than canopies from the sun, and it is extremely humid. The shuttle service was a joke -and the so-called meet hotel was a bit of a dump at a considerable distance from the track.
I did not go to Spokane last summer – for reasons having nothing to do with the location – but since I hope to go to Lahti – and live on the east coast – a trip to Spokane next summer would be cost prohibitive. However I would love to go some summer when I am not looking at a very expensive trip to an international meet. I would also point out that for those 50 and over – the National Senior Games is in the Bay area – and I doubt that many from the east coast want to make two trips west in one summer. The days of $99 one way Jet Blue airline tickets to the California from Boston and New York are long gone.
The mid-west or Orono would be great – just my two cents.
I look forward to hearing that Clermont is out and somewhere else is in – just about anywhere – well – not Disney World or Charlotte and Honolulu is an expensive ticket for everyone who does not live there. And has anyone noticed that the stock market is in free fall, unemployment is rising, and those with retirement accounts, investment accounts and college accounts are getting ulcers. There are not going to be a whole bunch of people able to fly long distances to go to a track meet.
The college in Ohio is Baldwin/Wallace it has one of the 5 best Mondo tracks in the country. The date would probably move to the last weekend in June putting it 1 month before the World Champs in Finland. They would like to host -but not sure if the dates are available for the facility. This would probably be the best bet– because Jim Flanik the head of the games committe would be organizing the bid and they would have their ducks in a row–also Rex Harvey lives in the area and would most likely be involved. If that doesn’t work then Spokane has already agreed to host and would be an excellent back up.Although I would like to bid to bring the Nationals to Mt. Sac my proposed meet Director is not available for the 2009 date so we will not be in the bidding competition. We would like to bid for either 2011 or 2012 though.
Bring it on (Baldwin-Wallace, that is). The college has student housing, it looks to be a short drive from Cleveland’s airport, and the weather is generally fine. Average lows and highs for June, July, and August are 58 to 77, 62 to 81, and 61 to 79.
Fly to Cleveland from anywhere in the country, take a short trip by rental car, cab, or some other means to your dorm or hotel, and you’re ready. For me, it would be the first-ever outdoor nationals I could reach by private automobile (my own car, that is). Oh, Baldwin-Wallace hasn’t been awarded the meet yet? And Clermont is not even offically out yet? Guess I’m getting ahead of myself.
A number of people got an email from Gary Snyder a short while ago saying that Clermont is definitely out and that there have been several groups interested in stepping in. Gary reports that he will be contacting them and that the Executive Committee will examine those bids and decide by the end of October in a conference call.
I certainly trust those of you on here who are saying that B-W is a great facility so I echo PT’s comments “bring it on!”
This may be blasphemy for a Left Coaster to say but I would prefer it being in Ohio to returning to the same site (Spokane) again. I’m excited about seeing a new venue and running on a new track and think the late June date would be ideal training-wise.
I hope that Mt. SAC can somehow pull off the 2011 date but that’s 2 straight years in Cali and 3 out of 4 on the West Coast so that may be doubtful. But it’s been 11 years (will be 13 when Sacto hosts) since Cali last had it, right?
I think Jerry’s info is all the confirmation I need to know it’s not going to be in Clermont. He clearly knows his stuff.
I’m not sure if it will be available for warm-up, but, BW also has 6-lane indoor 200m track.
http://www.bw.edu/stulife/sports/
The outdoor stadium has plenty of spactator stands on both sides of the track, plenty restrooms and a nice concession stand. The Browns used to train there. (not sure if that’s a selling point. lol) I think everyone will be pleased with this location if it’s selected.
Mt.Sac
If it’s at Mt. Sac which airport is the easiest to fly into? LAX, Long Beach or any others?
Running a National Championships is a lot more than a good track. A LOC needs years to get ready for our meet. Stick with ones we have been to this time.
FYI, the games committee sets up the schedule that some of you have problems with.
Average temps. are a starting point. All these places have seen 90+ temps during the summer, even Maine.
I think Maine is in it to make money, not take care of the athletes. Does anyone remember trying to get copy of the competition schedule last time. Go look at the tinted window!
The Spokane Sports Commission has the staff, funding and a committee to do it again, only better this time. They have already held a post meet review of the last meet and have positive improvements in place.
It’s not a bad idea to consider letting several sites have the meet for several years in a row as the open committee does. It usually get better the following years.
George
Thanks for the info, George. Those are all good points.
My concern with the schedule was simply this and things like it;
10 minutes between the start of two steeplechase races. Therefore, the 50-59 year old group had 10-minutes to run their 3K race and the start the next race. No one at the whole meet ran a 3K ‘chase under 10 minutes so it just made no sense. The check-in time corresponded to the scheduled start time so it became a bit of a hassle and a lot of waiting around.
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