Landover indoor nationals entries have shot at breaking 1K mark
Jerry Bookin-Weiner, meet director of indoor nationals, writes: “Last night was the ‘on-time’ deadline for entries to the USA Masters Indoor T&F Championships in Landover. As of this morning we have 937 people registered. That does not count the foreign athletes (we have 14 that I know of so far) or those entering relays only (we have 5 of those that I know of so far). So we have 956 entries in hand with the late entry period running until next Wednesday at noon eastern time. In addition to those 956 there is also an unknown (to me at this point) number of mail-in entries that still must be entered into the system — the mail will be picked up this morning and there will be two days worth in the box. Therefore, it is probably safe to say that we have already surpassed the largest indoor championships already (964, also in Landover in 2009). In fact, given past history of late entries, there is a very strong likelihood we will have more than 1,000 entries in the indoor championships for the first time ever.â€
Jerry, the weights guru, continues:
Our LOC has been meeting every other week since September and weekly since the beginning of 2013, planning for a large turnout.Â
We plan to send two or three emails to those who’ve signed up with information about how the logistics of the meet will run (packet pickup, declarations, relay sign ups, implement inspection, etc) as well as transportation (shuttles from the hotels, parking at the facility, shuttles from the remote parking lots, etc) and other matters (access to showers on Sunday, hotel availability, webcasting of the meet, etc).Â
The timing crew has been arranged by the Games Committee and the problems that plagued the 2009 meet during several races should be avoided this time around. All in all, we are ready and planning a very athlete and spectator friendly meet.
As noted above, there is still time for late entries through the meet website until Wednesday, February 27 at 11:59 am eastern time. All mail in entries must be RECEIVED by Wednesday as well (we do take faxed entries – those who want to fax an entry should email us first at 2013masters@usatfpva.org).
17 Responses
Excellent. Wonderful that we are setting a record for this meet. Thanks to Jerry Bookin-Weiner and his crew for all of their hard work.
As just one example of what a huge turnout means, the last time I counted there were 248 entrants in the 60 dash. Now that could be wild, as it puts the clerking task front and center. How long will the trials last? An hour and a half? Even longer?
Fantastic news indeed. Should be a fantastic event.
What an easy way to make history. Just sign-up and join in the fun of great competition. 12 todate in the M60 Pentathlon.
to answer pete…it depends on how fast everyone runs…ha..ha…!!!
Looking forward to the most competive team competition ever for the Indoor Championships- it will be pretty intense-looking forward to the challenge!
Beautiful day for playing on the Mountain this Am….Watched the moon slowly descend over south mountain and the Sun rise over the eastern horizon….little chilly today in Arizona only 68 high temp today hahah….Great temp for the afternoon intervals….and great day to be alive!
Great numbers for the Nationals….Just want to thank Ken Stone – This Web site along with all you
masters men and woman who inspired me to get back into track about a decade ago after a long hiatis.
I had forgot how much fun this playing can be…
Sully
Good, Sully. We will see you soon in Landover. With the entry count now over 1000, we can all pride ourselves in being part of an historic event.
Mr. Taylor,
Always much more exciting watching and listening to the meets when you are announcing! Should be fun!
Sully
You are too kind, Sully. With a big meet like this there will be a lot of excitement but also some tough decisions to be made.
For example, in your big race, the M50 400, there are 28 entrants, of whom 9 appear to have a chance at a medal. With a 6-lane track it will be extremely interesting to see which 6 men are placed in the seeded final. It will also be interesting to hear what the other 22 men are told (they will be placed in other sections, of course).
Looks like we have only one Olympian in your race, Sully, Chris Faulknor of Los Angeles (represented Jamaica a few years ago). As far as I know, we have 8 Olympians in the meet.
Mr. Taylor,
I think I remember having have had the pleasure of racing Mr. Faulknor a few years back in Flagstaff, very nice gentleman but I do not have the memory you do…I would have to check past races……not something I like to do …My 5 older brothers always taught me “Its not your past races that count its your next race so work your arse off today”
Although I do like Springsteens’ Song “Glory Days”
Hahahah
Sully
Mike Sullivan you are awesome! Have a great season!
Make it happen big guy!
Thanks Leigh, but no I am not!
But after having my mom and dad pass and losing a good friend a few years back …realizing my own mortality, one of my idols, Steve Prefontaine, said it best “Not to give 100% is to sacrifice the GIFT” ….Hope your training and season goes well also!
Sully
Nicely said, Sully.
It’s too bad that this site (masterstrack.com) does not get the traffic (and the arguments) that it used to, because with at least 1020 entrants we will have some interesting questions when it comes time for Landover.
For example: Sully, as things stand now you would be one of five sprinters guaranteed to get a spot in the seeded M50 400. The others are Olympian Chris Faulknor, former world champ Jim Chinn, Marcus Shute (you know him very well), and Glen Whiteley. Tied for sixth are Michael Waller and Ray Parker.
And yet, none of these gentlemen has run a trial for this event, and thus some will say that the finals should be drawn randomly, not by times submitted. I mean random in terms of both the section in which you run and the lane you are given.
This will be my 18th indoors, and believe me I have seen it all. Will Landover go by times, by random selection, something else?
In the 60 dash in particular I have seen many instances over the years in which the heats (not finals) were drawn up on time. In other years the 60 heats were drawn up randomly. Interesting.
Mr. Taylor,
Not as concerned about my lane and heat as I am about there being any Irish establishments close by ….hahah …. but I am sure it will be a fun race regardless of the outcome..
Sully
Note to post 13:
By “Landover” in “Will Landover go by times?” I meant “the USATF Masters Games Committee for the meet at Landover,” as the Games Committee will be in charge of the meet, not the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the officials, etc.
It is the Games Committee that will run the show, determine the method used to assign lanes, decide whether there will be two or three sections in the women’s 3000 run, etc.
The final count for the meet is 1043 athletes, including foreign athletes.
And the schedule is now posted at: http://www.usatf.org/Events-/Events-/-Calendar/2013/USA-Masters-Indoor-Track—Field-Championships/Schedule.aspx
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