Keep a secret? Some hurdles at Sacramento were half-inch short
On the first day of masters nationals, I learned something funny and sad: Some (or many?) of the 27-inch hurdles in Sacramento were a half-inch short. Running referee Murray Sanford of Georgia reportedly made the discovery. They were fixed the next day — but only after a few pentathletes in the upper age groups ran the too-short short hurdles. Jim Flanik of the Games Committee oversaw repair of the bad puppies. So all is well. Or maybe not. It turns out that this set of too-short hurdles had been used at three or four other masters nationals. They travel around the country. So any records set over these hurdles in recent years may be in jeopardy. But at least they’ll be good for worlds. Hurdles and steeple are featured in our latest photo gallery.
Wood blocks helped prop up barriers to 27 inches. (Photo by Ken Stone)
On a more positive note: The shuttle hurdle relays — the last event of nationals — survived heat and injuries. Six teams of hurdlers completed the races, shepherded by Jeff Davison of Orange County in hopes of making it an official USATF championship event some day. Jeff says 10 hurdlers dropped out before the event Sunday — victims of injury or exhaustion.
But a couple dozen stepped up to the line, making the exhibition a relative success. Some folks even gave up their place in he relay to let others compete. Very classy. And several, including W50
Karen Maxwell, shined brightly. Karen three-stepped her hurdles — at the longer W40 spacing!
Shuttle hurdlers and alternates in a team shot. (Photo by Ken Stone)
7 Responses
Ken, nothing is safe from your investigative scrutiny. Congrats on the scoop and thanks to you and the distaff member of Team Stone for this and all the other Nationals pieces and pictures. I hope you will have one on the Sunday relays that we both took part in. If I don’t see myself in a picture, I’ll probably forget I was there!
I’ve started (and have lost my efforts twice) to write a list of a few heroes I observed at the Masters Nationals. Among them was Murray Sanford. Normally, even when acting as an official, I don’t know who is the meet referee. If an issue comes up, we have to consult other officials or meet management to learn who is the next higher authority. Its usually an official who is busy doing something else, like the starter. I was particularly impressed with how attentive Mr. Sanford was. The hurdle issue was just one of the issues. Over four days, every time I recognized something was up, I realized Murray, in his Hawaiian shirt, was already standing there ready to make a decision. When (I think it was) Nate Sickerson suffered a devastating achilles injury in the 200, before the medical crew could arrive, Murray was already standing there trying to shield the athlete from the hot Sacramento sun. And he stayed there until he could be carted off. This kind of attention to detail should be commended.
I also learned from Jumping Events Referee Dick Moss (also in the Hawaiian shirt) that my run-up is against the rules. Considering I’m a Master level official and have been using the same procedure for 38 years (without any complaints from any other officials), this kinda throws the rhythm off. There it was: Rule 180-19 “a competitor may place one or two markers, supplied or approved by the Games Committee, alongside the runway to assist in the run-up or take-off.” I use two marks down the runway, plus a starting point=three marks. I don’t think I’m the only one who does this. Nice to know the guys in charge know the rules–surprisingly better than I. Frankly, I think the rules are out of line. Am I out of line? Other jumpers? Do we need a rule change? Beuller . . . Beuller
Hurdles too low?? Even when heights are in fact imperial things go wrong??
Have no idea which hurdles they sent — the ones used the last couple years had yellow gate tubes – had spacers in some to get to legal — the first year they went out they where correct — know a bunch where damaged in Florida – so what happened then and this year — good guess — last year Oshosh had yellow tubes – did not see them after they came back – an since no longer involved with them – guess we need to check when hgts – I know the sets I have at Carthage college are correct
Nice to see 27″ hurdles exist….we didn’t have them in Toronto for either the Ontario or Canadian masters Championships.
the runners should allways check your hurdles in the lane you are put in it can be off the mark to high to low some thing,allways it can make you have a bad race,when I was A m30 hurdler the hurdles was on the womens mark,now that im M50 I make shore the marks are correct,
Re.: Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Peter Taylor, Andy Hecker, and Ken Stone: Thank you for all of your help with the Shuttle Hurdle Relay event.
Andy thank you for helping with measuring, setting up, and then rushing over to compete-in.
Your energy is great appreciated !
-Jeff Davison
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