James Lofton back in the game: runs 12.48 at San Diego all-comers
James Lofton, the humble NFL Hall of Famer, entered his first meet in a while Wednesday — the San Diego Summer Nights all-comers at Cathedral Catholic High School. Not a bad return at age 54. He clocked a 12.48 (auto-timed) in the 100 — into a wind. More than an hour later, he started the 400, but dropped out near 300 after feeling a cramp in his hamstring. No problem. At least he’s fully recovered from foot surgery. He had a fracture a few years ago. James was one of a couple dozen masters entered at the meet, which drew 160 people from ages 7 to 67.
James ran a 400 at a USC meet back in July 2006. (Photo by Ken Stone)
(I beat two 7-year-olds and an M60 in my heat. My time beat a 20-year-old’s mark from another heat. So now I can die and go to heaven.)
Among other masters highlights: W45 Jai Black ran a 400 in 61.13 after going out in about 27 seconds. McDuffrie Allen, 48, ran the 800 in 2:07.12 on a chilly night.
Many sprinters were disappointed with their times — perhaps a half-second slower in the 100 than recent efforts. But the meet was well-run, with San Diego Track Club coach Paul Greer keeping up a steady patter on a roaming microphone, interviewing the likes of Lofton and 1984 Olympic 800 champ Joaquim Cruz, who said he’s helping wounded veterans rehab and coaching some of them as Paralympians.
A nice touch: San Diego-Imperial Association is giving out awards after the three-meet series to top point-scorers in the open and masters (40-plus) categories. I have 11 points but can’t make the other Wednesday night meets. Drat. So James, MacDuffrie and Jai can relax.
2 Responses
There must be a penalty for posting too many times, but I believe that the penalty should be waived if there are no other posters. And maybe I can get Mellow Johnny to post. I’ll go ahead.
1. Would love to see James Lofton in the 200 at Sacramento. Right now we have three in the M50 200, including former world champ Allan Tissenbaum, Brian Hankerson, and Eugene Byrne. James would strengthen the field immeasurably and would give us some PR buzz.
2. Charlotte outdoors (2006), the meet we are chasing (at least in my mind), ended up with 339 pre-entrants in the 200 dash (excluding Canadians). Right now we are at 36 for the 200, but we have 3 weeks to go for regular entry (closes June 25). If we get no more entries today but 12 a day in the next 21 days (in the 200) and then get 30 after the regular deadline that would give us 318. A good turnout for the 200, but still not Charlotte. Here’s hoping for a pickup.
3. Mellow Johnny, I got a good laugh from your prediction of running the 3000 steeplechase at 11:30 in the morning on July 23 in Sacramento. Remember, you are going after all the racewalks and all the hurdles trials plus most if not all of the other steeplechases. We already have 32 entered in the 5000 racewalk and should certainly break 100 walkers. Looks like you will be running about 2:30 PM, Mellow Johnny.
Seems that Charlotte outdoors is a good meet to compare to, PT.
Yeah, I was pleased to hear they currently have it scheduled at 11:30 but don’t see it happening till mid-day when it’s all said and done.
Rather than running it AT 11:30, if it’s run in mid-afternoon, my time will BE 11:30…ugh ðŸ™
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