Joy MacDonald dies at 73; held WRs in vault, was MTF treasurer
Joy on runway, among first women to vault.
The W55 vault WR progression suggests that Joy was a women’s PV pioneer.
Joy did the 1978 Heart Run (6.2 miles) in Fort Lauderdale and four years later won the 40-44 age group. She also ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.
Running a half-marathon in her 50s to celebrate her birthday. Photo courtesy Joy’s daughter.
Her vaulting was superlative and still ranks in the top 6 worldwide in W65 with her 2.40 (7-10 1/2), a record that lasted only seven months.
Masters media chair Bob Weiner wrote Jennifer, saying: “I worked closely with Joy and she was a fantastic person, devoted and dedicated to the mission of masters track and field, as a fierce competitor in the pole and as an organizer for the sport. For many years she served as national treasurer. We will all miss her deeply.”
Joy’s four-year stint as USATF Masters T&F Committee treasurer ended in late 2008. She played a part in the 2006 resignation of George Mathews as national masters chairman (in a dispute over her budget authority). Bob came to her defense.
In her email, Jennifer wrote:
I will have some of her pole vaulting equipment which I would like to donate somewhere on down the road when I am further along in this process. I will have poles and even what appears to be the cushions for a pit she was going to install on her property. If you could provide me any information on a resource for this, it would be much appreciated. I know she would want them to be used if possible!
I’d be happy to pass along your ideas for use of her vault gear to Jennifer. In any case, our deepest condolences to Joy’s family.
Here’s the 1985 profile:
Joy Of Running Mcdonald Has Traded Cigarettes For Well-conditioned Body
October 23, 1985|By Jerry Backus, Staff WriterFORT LAUDERDALE — Joy McDonald is tired of hearing excuses from women who have problems accomplishing goals.
McDonald, 44, insists that if you want something badly enough, nothing should stand in your way.
“Your age should never be a hindrance to you,“ the Fort Lauderdale resident said.
“Whether it be a sport or not, if there is something you want to do, than you have to gain the confidence to succeed.“McDonald took up running eight years ago. Her determination paid off in August at the Masters National Track and Field Championships of The Athletic Congress. She placed third in the 100- and 200-meter events of the 40-44 age group, despite chronic tendonitis in her knee.
McDonald was pleased with her performance in Indianapolis, but would like to find out what she could accomplish injury free.
“I started out running long distance,“ McDonald said. “I watched people running short sprints and it looked very exciting. After experimenting with it I began feeling pain in my knees. It was because of the switch from distance to sprints.“
Before she took up running, McDonald used to smoke four packs of cigarettes a day.
“My daughter was on a school softball team and they had parent-girls games,“ McDonald said. “After I played in those I couldn`t do anything. I decided right then that I wasn`t going to let myself go. I decided to start running.
“I went to the track and couldn`t finish a mile. It took me a month and a half to run a mile. I was not about to stop there.“
McDonald competed in the 1978 Heart Run (6.2 miles) in Fort Lauderdale. Four years later, she won the 40-44 age division. She has also participated in the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, D.C., her hometown.
McDonald decided she would rather run short distances.
“I gained a sense of power from running as fast as I could,“ McDonald said. “When I went to Indiana I was amazed with the agility of some of the people. Watching 70-year-old women running and competing was very exciting.“
McDonald has also had an interest in weightlifting. She competed in a Gold Coast Gym bodybuilding contest a couple of years ago. She joined the gym as part of her training. She also bicycles 150 miles a week, runs 15 miles weekly, swims six and attends aerobic classes four times a week. McDonald plans to try the Ironman Competition when she reaches 50.
She would like to try the quarter-mile run along with the 100 and 200 in next season`s championships.
7 Responses
I can help her find someone local to take the poles and foam (shipping would be way too much work).
This is such surprising sad news. Joy was always so physically active in other sports, as well as in track and field. She was an enthusiastic, fun and joyful competitor and a fine athlete. I will miss her. My condolences to her family and friends.
Wow ! This is really sad news. I really enjoyed working with Joy as part of the Masters executive committee while she served as Treasurer. She was such a nice person and what a great competitor. My prayers go out to her family and close friends.
Joy and I were long-time competitors and friends.Since the mid-1980’s we’d meet up each spring at the Southeastern Masters Meet in Raleigh. At Christmas, I’d write her a long letter and she’d respond with questions, comments, training tips etc.
Even after her move to northern Virginia and her retirement from active competition, she kept up with everything that was going on in our sport. This year my letter went unanswered, now I know why…. She was a great lady, and I shall miss her!
I didn’t know Joy all that well, and thus I didn’t comment earlier. One thing I did know was that she was a very warm and kind person; I wish I’d known her better.
Not only was she “devoted and dedicated to the mission of masters track and field”, but also to any task she undertook. She was the most totally dependable person I have ever known.
I knew Joy when she was my guardian ad litem. .She was an amazing woman, who seemed to be able to do anything she put her mind to..She has been on my mind for 30 yrs..
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