Even though Baton Rouge hosted the masters nationals back in 2001, the Southern states haven’t been known as a hotbed for masters track. Now some folks in the USATF Southern Association are trying to change that. This weekend, the association is returning to LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium for its regional masters championships. And some big names are entered, including M55 all-world sprinter Bill Collins and multi-event champion Robert Baker. The association also has launched its own message board. I sent a message to the meet director of Saturday’s shindig, Byron D. Turner, and he graciously replied. Byron is an Army officer. But this weekend, his mission is putting on a good show for the masters.

Here’s my quickie Q&A with Byron:

Masterstrack.com: Tell me about yourself — where you live, what your main day job is, and what your track background is.
Byron Turner: I live in Baton Rouge, LA; I work for Fannie Mae. I competed from age 14-25, began coaching three years ago.
Do you compete as well? If so, what’s your age group and events?
I am trying if my hamstring acts right 35-39 is my age group/sprints 100 & 200. However, I recently learned how to throw the hammer, so I may try that in a few meets.

What obstacles did you overcome to revive masters track in your region?
Getting the word out. So many people we have discovered are interested in Masters track, we just need to get the word out that it exists.

Are you getting any help from the local USATF association?
Yes, I’m doing this on behalf of the association. . . . I was interested in competing so I asked the leadership of the association who was heading the masters program. There response was no one — but since I asked, I could do it. I guess the rest is history.
What are your tramadol no prescription ambitions for masters track in your area?
There are four key objectives:
A. I want to grow masters track to 500 athletes with at least 100 competing per meet.
B. I want to host an average of 2-3 joint meetings with youths. I know they make for longer days, but we have to use the youth program as a feeder system for our masters program. By the youth seeing actual competition of masters should allow them to see that they don’t have to stop competing at 18.
C. Increase open participation, which will also feed into masters program. With every meet, we allow open athletes to compete. What we have discovered is there is a fairly large population of athletes who have completed there college eligibility or just didn’t go to college but still desire to compete. They are not elite athletes, so what do they do? They now can compete with us.
D. Create a track season lasting from February to October with an average of one meet per month.
Are you getting any advice or support from USATF Indy?
They have helped me tremendously with linking me with resources. I was fortunate to attend the national meeting in Hawaii last year and attended several masters sessions. For a fact, my biggest help has come from my Regional Chair, Lester Mount, and the Masters Committee Vice President Janet Smith. They both have served as mentors to mem and I’m very much appreciative.

Sounds like Byron is off to a great start. Please support your local masters track meets! Show up!