Jeff Davison wins David Pain Award as shuttle hurdles relay maven
Jeff Davison isn’t a stellar hurdler — although he claims an age-57 record for the 110-meter highs set at 42 inches (22.74). But he’s famed in a bigger way — as founder of the shuttle hurdle relay in masters track. Before him, it never happened. Because of him, it did. And to honor that effort started 10 years ago, I nominated him for the David Pain Distinguished Service Award. This week, the USATF Masters Awards Committee agreed. He was voted the prestigious Pain award (formerly called Masters Administrator of the Year Award). My first mention of Jeff and the shuttles came in January 2006 under the headline “Shuttle hurdle relays: Virgin territory for masters.” Later, I reported in 2010 how USATF adopted the hurdle relay as an official event at masters nationals. Now we have 13 records in the event — over 320-, 400- and 440-meter distances. Dozens of athletes call themselves American record-holders as a result. David Pain pioneered a sport. Jeff Davison pioneered an event. Proper that he won this award.
Jeff of Laguna Hills (south of Los Angeles) also runs shuttles, here in 2014.
13 Responses
The Masters Shuttle Hurdle Relay,the website http://www.mastershistory.org, the meet records for 3 Masters meets in Southern California have all been due to efforts of many . What I call team work. Thank you to all.
As Ken mentioned. The Masters Shuttle Hurdle Relay now includes 50 athletes that have an official Masters American Record or American Club Record .. well done to all of them
List of past winners of the USATF David Pain award:
http://mastershistory.org/DavidPainAward/David%20Pain%20Award%20USATF%20Distinguished%20Services%20Award.htm
[sorry one of the links needs repair]
USAF Masters Records List:
https://www.usatf.org/statistics/records/masters_outdoorTF.asp
Congratulations, Jeff! Well deserved. Your efforts have been appreciated by all of us who’ve had a chance to take part.
Congrats Jeff, very deserving.
Thanks, Jeff. Really fun to watch too.
As a hurdler who helped set our college’s 480 yd HH Shuttle Relay record many decades ago, Congrats to Jeff, and Thanks to Ken for the nomination!
Congrats on blazing a hurdling trail.
Well deserved. Overhere the hurdle relay never has been done, as far as I know.
Congratulations, you’ve all been promoted to World Record holders!
Thank you to all for the messages on the blogs / boards, emails, and cell-calls. It is appreciated.
Link to the 2016 USATF Awards Breakfast and award announcements:
http://www.usatf.org/News/USATF-Annual-Awards-Breakfast-honors-dedicated-con.aspx
Hi Weia. The Shuttle Hurdle Relay has been held overseas in college and open and pro levels only. The first open that I know about 1920s in the UK ..later in the 1920s UK vs USA at the Penn Relays. Track and Field News years ago listed USA not having the open world records … USA now hold both men and women open world records again. Last year was the first mixed open shuttle hurdle Relay at a USA Relay it included athletes from many countries.
Masters SHR has included athletes from Peru,Canada and Cape Verde … all at the USA Masters Outdoor Nationals.
None at WMA yet.
A very well deserved achievement, Jeff! You had the seminal vision and the resolve to see the shuttle hurdles relay to national-championship status. There are many of us in the hurdling community who are deeply grateful for your pioneering efforts. Bravo!
Thank you Mr American Record Holder Bob. Kind words from the Arizona Professor.
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