Marilyn Mitchell writes from New York: “Several of us are trying to raise money in order to facilitate getting a stellar field of masters athletes to the Masters Invitational in Eugene, for the June 30th exhibition at the Olympic Trials competition. Unfortunately, except for the several people who had previously verbally indicated interest in helping, I have heard not one word from any of the active athletes nor from their friends, so I am thinking that perhaps the active athletes did not forward the message or perhaps people just do not have money to give. Bill Collins is very busy at the moment, but he is one of the people who is interested in helping with this effort and he has said that we may use his name and Robert Thomas is another individual who is helping more actively.”

Marilyn continues:

I would be happy to answer any questions and if you are an athlete meeting the qualifying standards, please do not be shy about stepping up and registering at this site.

BUDGET FOR THE EVENT: I think that Mark Cleary, the program coordinator, has a budget of something like $3,000 which is to be used to help athletes and himself get to at least two events, the Eugene Olympic Trials event and the Drake Relays event.

You do not have to do the math to realize that filling eight lanes for men and eight lanes for women at two events equals 32 athletes and even if the money is allocated only to the athletes, each athlete would get only $93, which is a mere pittance. Even if Mark’s budget is now $4,000, there would only be $125 allocated for each athlete.

Therefore, we desperately need help, because many of these athletes cannot afford the money to do this event in addition to our national championships and we really do want our very best, fastest athletes participating so that we can showcase the masters program in the best light possible.

MEN (Eugene Olympic Trials): Thus far there are five (5) men registered for the men’s 400 meter race, with four of them at or below the qualifying standard and we really need to get at least three more qualified male athletes, because it looks bad to have unfilled lanes.

WOMEN (Eugene Olympic Trials): There are six (6) women registered who meet the qualifying standard for the women’s 200 meter race and a seventh (7th) women with no time, so we need at least one or two more women to register.

SUMMARY OF HELP NEEDED:

NON-MONETARY HELP NEEDED:

1. men’s 400 meter race–help in identifying men aged 40-49 (qualifying time of 23.50 or better) and aged 50-59 (qualifying time of 23.65 or better);
2. women’s 200 meter race–help in identifying women aged 40-49 (qualifying time of 1:04.50 or better) and aged 50-59 (qualifying time of 1:05.50 or better; and
3. help in forwarding message to other masters athletes and others who may be able to help.

MONETARY HELP NEEDED:

1. donation of miles (or partial donation) for one or more athletes, as this will probably be the athletes’ biggest expense; and
2. donation of cash to supplement Mark’s budget to help pay for hotel rooms. Until further notice, cash should be sent to Robert Thomas, who will supply his mailing address.

For the most part, a donation of miles consists of purchasing with miles a ticket for a specific individual and there is often a fairly hefty financial penalty for cancelling and/or changing the ticket,l which is why we need to identify the competitors as early as possible.

INFORMATION REQUEST FORM MARK:

1. Please give information on cost of the hotel rooms which you have secured in Eugene.
2. Please also give an estimate of how many additional athletes you think may apply for the Eugene event.

SUPPORT OUTSIDE MARK’S BUDGET TO DATE:

Thus far I seem to have a commitment for a plane ticket for one athlete.