M70 walker Arthur Thomson of Britain and W75 runner Melitta Czerwenka-Nagel of Germany are Europe’s nominees for IAAF Masters Athletes of the Year, according to the Eurovets Web site. Melitta looks like an especially strong rival to Canada’s Karla del Grande, previously nominated by the New World (along with Bill Collins). The IAAF honors will be bestowed next month in Monaco.

More details from the Euros:
“Given their outstanding performances and their records the EVAA Commission under the leadership of Ivar Söderlind presents:
Arthur Thomson –M 70- (GBR): in 2006 he set up three new world records in walking:
– 20 km Road Walk (1:56:44 h)
– 30 km Road Walk (2:52:47 h) and
– 5,000 m Track Walk (26:01,52 min)
In Poznan (POL) within the European Championships he won three gold medals in walk events.
Melitta Czerwenka-Nagel -W 75- (GER): she has posted six world records in 2006:
Indoor:
– 800 m (3:31,94 min)
– 1,500 m (6:47,04 min)
Outdoor:
– 800 m (3:28,73 min)
– 3,000 m (14:26,01 min)
– 5,000 m (24:32,98 min)
– Half-Marathon (2:00:03 h)
In Linz (AUT) within the WMA-Indoor Championships she won three gold medals in running events.”
Here’s a crude translation of how Annette’s Seite in Germany reported the news:
IAAF of Best Masters 2006: EVAA nominates Melitta Czerwenka nail
For two years the leichtathletik selects World union IAAF at the season end also that “IAAF Best Masters OF the Year” and recognizes thus special achievements in that Seniorenleichtathletik on. So excellent athlete, a woman and Man, that becomes in the framework.
Under the presidency of chief statistician Ivar Söderlind has those responsible record coming mission now beside that outstanding British geher Arthur Thomson (M70), over 10km, 20km and 5000m Course-go new world records set up and the EM in floats of three titles achieved, the German Seniorenmeisterin Melitta Czerwenka nail (* 1930, WERE APPROPRIATE for Saarbruecken) nominated.
The 76-Jährige Saarbrückerin Melitta Czerwenka nail is after their world records of this year the outstanding Läuferin of the age group W75. It places four new stadium world records over 800m (3: 28,73min), 3000 m (14: 26.01 min), 5000 m (24: 32.98 min) and in the Halbmarathon (2: 00: 03h) up and improved those
To world best performances in min over 800m and 6:47,04 resounds the min over 1500m on 3:31,94. With the resound WM in the spring in Linz it won run competitions three in the gold medals. Only with 48 years the German began out Tschechien with the Leichtathletik. It completed their first match only with 60.
Running helped Melitta Czerwenka nail „also over difficult situations in life away “, and she says “For me is the sport a kolossale self confirmation “. Up to four times per week is a retired teacher to 50 km with a mixed group of trainings in Saarbruecken to Forest house on the way. Self-discipline and joy in achievements are the motivation of the Grand Lady of the European senior Leichtathletik, those for the forthcoming world championships in Riccione and Clermont Ferrand still large Goals has.
From North America are in the meantime for the IAAF Honor Bill Collins (the USA) and Karla del Grande (CAN) nominated, also it unusual Mastersathleten. The Texaner Collins dominated the Sprints of the M50 with the resound WM in Linz, where it over 60m and 200m new world records set up. Also the Kanadierin del Grande, large Konkurrentin of the Usingerin
Dagmar wagoner, was in Linz the outstanding Sprinterin of its age group W50 and ran over thereby 400m a new resounding world record. The honor “IAAF Best of Masters OF the Year ” becomes from the IAAF in the framework a Gala Meeting in November in Monaco lent. (09.10.06)