Many folks star at the blustery British masters nationals
Tom Phillips, a masters sprinter across the Pond, sends this great report on the British masters nationals in Birmingham, where results are now online. Tom writes: “A great weekend, aided and abetted by an occasional blustery wind, but the forecast heavy rain for Sunday stayed away. Some great performances across the age groups. That man Dr. Steve Peters again won the 100/200/400 at M50, though he was chased extra hard over 100 by new M50 Peter Hickey. First three all sub 12 secs. First 6 all sub 25 secs in the M50 200m! That hurts me – I was the seventh man home.”
Canadian masters nationals results, pics and lobster BBQ!
Results have been posted for Canada’s masters nationals in Saint John, New Brunswick, a meet described by Doug Smith as “cool and foggy . . . in the AM — clearing for a nice afternoon.” A number of Yanks competed there, including Steven Robbins, who won the M60 100 in a wind-aided 12.44 and the 200 in a legal 26.09. Canadian M75 great Earl Fee, now 78, won the 200 in 31.57, 400 in 69.90 and 800 in 2:43.84. (Earl isn’t listed for Orono, though.)
Weight pentathlon record tops Texas masters champs
Results have been posted from the Texas Masters Championships, and they include a new American record in the M45 weight pentathlon (consisting of shot, discus, hammer, javelin and weight throw). Ken Jansson of Wichita, Kansas, totaled 4,283 points to beat the listed AR of 4,106 points by Dan John in 2003. And here’s the kicker: Ken is 49! Tough way to beat an age-group record. The listed M45 world record is 4,355 by Vasilis Maganas of Greece in 2001.
Event overkill? Hammer guys mull new event at nationals
The IOC is always worried about having too many sports at the Olympics. Now it seems that folks in USATF are worried about having too many throws at masters outdoor nationals. I’ve been cc’d an exchange of email between Jerry Bookin-Weiner, USATF Masters throwing events coordinator, and former USATF Masters T&F Chairman George Mathews on a survey planned for throwers at Orono. The question is this: Should the weight throw be added to masters outdoor nationals? (It’s an event similar to the hammer throw, but the implements are way heavier.) At Orono, a weight throw exhibition is set for Thursday evening (for men and women, all age groups).
Another M90 track star in the news: Bob Matteson
Bob Matteson of Vermont is 91 and good to go for Orono. And he got a great send-off from his local paper today. Check out this article, which I’ve also reproduced below. Bob’s coach, Pete Farwell, says: “They say if you don’t use it, you lose it, and here is a guy who’s kept using his fast-twitch muscles his whole life. He’s always rushing — how many 91-year-olds have such a full day that they have to squeeze in their workouts?” Classic. Later Bob himself says: “During the first few steps of any run, you’re thinking ‘Why the hell am I doing this?’ But after a few moments that feeling disappears. Running is a continual thing, a perpetual thing. It’s impossible to keep at it unless you have that drive, that determination, to succeed.” Go Bob!
Orono meet schedule posted, but it may be wrong
USATF has posted this schedule for the Orono masters nationals next week. Meanwhile, meet director Rolland Ranson has distributed this schedule (which I’ve converted into a PDF file). I’ve been told that they’re pretty close but may be a few minutes off in certain places. Go with the PDF one for now. Also, be thankful this isn’t the National Senior Olympics track meet, with a gazillion sprint entrants. Orono expects about 1,100 athletes. The NSO meet had a few more. “The Games were a huge success,” Becky Wesley of the NSGA wrote the new editor of National Masters News, “and we have received so many positive comments. We had 4,163 entries in track and field.” Thanks to Carmel Papworth-Barnum for that eye-opening stat. And pray that the current Orono weather conditions last another week.
Every 70 years, Leland McPhie gets a major writeup
The Web is bursting with masters track stories — from profiles of M65 decathletes in Australia to stories about masters moms training with discus sons in Nebraska. But I especially like the one running today in The San Diego Union-Tribune. And not just because my wife wrote it. This feature on M90 star Leland McPhie shows that love for track is simply unquenchable — even after a break of 60 years. Also shows that you’ll never regret saving your newspaper clips. Enjoy.
July 27, 2007
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Michelsohn tells of 1500 AR; racewalk records emerge
Marie-Louise Michelsohn has broken so many W65 world and American records this year it’s hard to keep track. One fell through the cracks. Marie-Louise writes: “I never got a chance to let you know about the 1500 I did at Icahn Stadium June 12 — 5:45.4 for a new American Record. This was at the NYRR Tuesday Night Speed Series. Hot and humid.” But then she gets to the point: “How about that Jeanne Daprano 800m! She’s having a great year.” Uh, you too, Marie-Louise. (The AR she broke was Jeanne’s 5:48.48 from last year.) And then we have some new racewalk records to pass along. Mark Winitz in California sent word along.
July 26, 2007
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Webcast planned for Orono nationals — a major first!
Holy guacamole! USATF has announced that the Web site Sportnet will Webcast the USATF masters outdoor nationals starting a week from today in Orono, Maine. The same outfit is currently putting live video online from the national Junior Olympics at Mt. SAC in Southern California. And within a day or so of the live feed, they archive the video for later viewing. Here’s an example from the JO’s. This is wonderful news, of course. It gives folks at home a chance to watch their friends and family compete in Orono. I doubt every throw and jump will be shown, but most track events are likely to be Webcast. Way to go, USATF!
Controversial official returning as Orono running referee
A week after Charlotte nationals last year, Running Referee Murray Sanford did the strangest thing — he quietly reversed a DQ in the M45 short hurdles, effectively aiding a fellow Georgian, Dexter McCloud. The Games Committee, you’ll recall, belatedly rendered a no-verdict in this case. But as I said back then, the committee’s ruling was a slap in the face of Murray. Now look who’s the running referee at next week’s Orono nationals! Yeah, Murray Sanford. Officials’ assignments at Orono have now been posted. So athletes have another thing to worry about besides their competition and fitness — whether officiating will be by the book. My advice: If you dispute a call, get your appeal in quickly.
