Jim Selby motors down the track at Cal State San Marcos.
Our friend
Jim Selby, a perennial nominee for the Masters Track Hall of Fame, is better known as the ironman of SoCal masters track. In his heyday of the 1990s and 2000s, as a middle-distance record-setter, he’d often enter a half-dozen running events at any given meet. But a year ago, he underwent open-heart surgery. On Saturday, in his first meet back, he showed he still has game — and Guts — winning golds in three M80 sprints — 50, 100 and 200 — at the
Chuck McMahon Memorial Masters Meet, which also serves as the San Diego-Imperial USATF Association masters championships.
See results here. The meet drew top age-groupers from other regions, including
Joy Upshaw of the Bay Area and Dr.
Richard Watson of Arizona.
Otis Burrell and NFL legends
James Lofton and
Phil McConkey also competed. Meanwhile, I put on a show myself — running my first 400-meter hurdle race in about eight years. Meet director
Steve Kleinstuber set up three lanes of hurdles even though I ran solo. I was touched by the cheers I heard around the track as I stutter-stepped my way to a sub-mediocre 1:32.99 (but still
No. 3 on the seasonal list). It was a test to see if I could negotiate 10 33-inch hurdles on my ACL-reconstructed left knee. Yes, I can! I’m ready for Olathe.
You probably heard my grunts a little before 11:30 Pacific time Saturday as I willed myself over the last couple hurdles in the 400s — at 59 years and 11 days perhaps the oldest quarter-mile hurdler in the country this season.
13 Responses
Awesome! Yay for ACL reconstruction.
Ken – you have less than a year to look forward to only 300 meters, and seven 30″ hurdles – you will feel reborn!
looking good!
welcome back Jim and Ken –
tough to get back in shape after long lay-offs for reasons and health or injury – you inspire me to get going a little harder.
Great to hear! You guys give everyone hope. Good Luck!
Not bad for a young boy
Sou um atleta master brasileiro e achei ótimo o seu site. Parabéns!!!!!
Jim Selby was always ready to rumble; I’m glad to see he is back at it. Looking at his posture in the photo you would never guess him for 84. Let me check his age at Spokane, where he and his daughter Debbie were kind enough to give me a ride back from the track.
Jim competed as an 80-year-old in Spokane (2008), and so 84, but very close to 85, must be right. Quite the athlete, to say the least.
Ken, there is nothing sweeter than knowing you just ran your LAST 400 hurdle race, and you never have to suffer that long again, ever.
I remember mine in Eugene in 2003. You can look forward to nationals with at least that thought.
Congrads to Selby and Stone.
Icons of San Diego.
Ken you will be ready for the 300 Hurdles at age 60 next year, but you will miss me I will be 65.
I time in the 400’s shows you will have what it takes to get a good time.
Welcome back, Jim and Debbie–truly my heroes–you both represent the true spirit of Masters Track—we missed you and love you–time for me to to get ready for some real competition in the 80’s group.
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