Results of the Hartshorne masters miles at Cornell University’s indoor track have begun trickling in — first with Pete Taylor’s report below. He doesn’t have official times, just recollections from the announcer booth, where he nearly lost his voice calling the events. In M50, Steve Chantry beat Jim Robinson with a winning time of 4:47.27. In the W40 elite mile, Alisa Harvey ran about 4:51. In the M40 elite final event, John Hinton led from the gun to win in “4:21 and change.” The race for second was close between Kevin Forde and Anselm LeBourne, both clocking 4:29s. Actually, the first I heard of Kevin’s 4:29 was on a roommate’s blog. A blog maintained for a club called the Groton Gophers told of a 6:11 mile by Steve Gallow.

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Jeff Hartwig, who turns 40 in late September, beat all the elite kidlets at the Pole Vault Summit last night in Reno, opening at 5.50 and making the first three heights on the second try, ending with a big clearance of 5.70 (18-8 1/4) in the ballroom of the Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the Reno Hilton). He had at least one close miss at 5.80 (19-0 1/4)! Now the other masters go tonight.

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Diane Sherrer, running columnist for the Ithaca Journal, again has done a great job of previewing the Hartshorne masters miles at Cornell University. Most interesting is her handicapping potential records this weekend. Diane writes: “Among the possibilities: A new meet record in the women’s elite race (5:02.69). A world-record attempt in the women’s 40-44 age group. A world record attempt in the women’s 45-49 age group. A new meet record in the men’s elite 40-49 race (4:17.84). And a world-record attempt in the men’s 45-49 age group. (The Hartshorne Masters Mile has been the site of three ratified age-group world records for women.)”

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Woe to ye UK masters athletes who speak ill of thine leaders. Your ass is grass. As promised, M65 sprinter Anthony Treacher has been banned in Britain after a 10-month war of words with the BMAF, his national track association. In fact, our online account of his claims against his team manager figured in his suspension. BMAF Chairman Winston Thomas’ Jan. 18 letter to Treacher is posted here. Winston writes: “As all the above are serious infringements of Rules for Competition 1(k), 22 (3) I now confirm that you are disqualified from all masters competitions under the auspice of BMAF, both domestically and internationally, for a period of 12 months from 16 January 2007 until 16 January 2008.”

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Now we’re cooking with GAS! For the first time since 2002, a world masters seasonal rankings for all events is online. Dave Clingan of Oregon was the last to pull off this incredible feat. His worthy successor is Martin Gasselsberger of Austria. Check ‘out Martin’s 2006 masters list at mastersathletics.net. These rankings are eye-opening. For the first time, someone has combed the IAAF Top Lists for eligible masters — anyone 35 and over. He lists hundreds of W35 and M35 runners, jumpers and especially throwers (removing a criticism of his original site). Although the Holy Grail is a constantly updated list right smack in the middle of the competition season, we’re thrilled to see at least an after-the-fact compilation. It’s a treasure trove worthy of WMA financial support! Way to go, Martin!

Reinhard Michelchen, an M50 sprinter who took a pair of bronzes at the Linz world indoor meet last year (as well as a 4×2 gold), writes a friend of ours: “Can you help me to find near Spartanburg/Greenville (South Carolina) . . . a track & field meeting the weekend of 27th or 28th January 2007?” He says he’d drive up to three hours to get to the indoor meet. He’s staying in Spartanburg for about a week and a half. He concludes: “I run the 60-400 ( 6,47s, 24,39s, 53,96s) in the M50 and won some medals in the masters indoor WM in Linz.” If you know of a meet he can enter at the end of this month, please write him directly. He’s probably looking for a tuneup for the German nationals and Eurovets indoor championships in Helsinki (where medal standards have been dropped, BTW). Thankee.

Nolan Shaheed, the current M55 world record holder for the indoor (4:42.89) mile, has posted a fan note on the Henry Rono thread at letsrun.com. Nolan wrote on January 13: “I’ve been a great fan of yours ever since the 70s. You are my inspiration and I am glad to hear that you are endeavoring to set the record in the mile. As you know, it’s my endeavor too. It would be great for us to go for the record in the same race at the same meet at the same time. Maybe there is a race promoter out there who would be interested.” Henry replied 22 minutes later.

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When the announcer introduces the men’s masters 4×4 relay at the 100th Millrose Games on February 2, the names of the clubs will be familiar. All but one team in this year’s top six entrants ran last year. According to organizer Jim Reilly’s list of men’s teams accepted for the Millrose, the top five teams from 2006 will be entered (including a team captained by Reilly himself). However, Jim was apologetic. He wrote the team captains: “The meet management would not budge past the 1/16 (entry) date, so we will have to go with this attached list which is sent (to) Mary Rosado. For the six fastest teams who will run in the 100th Millrose Games . . . congratulations.”

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James Lofton, the M50 sprinter who nearly nailed the 400-meter record last summer, interviewed today for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders — an arch-enemy of his current employer, the San Diego Chargers. But the Chargers are out of the playoffs, parly thanks to (ahem) some balls fumbled by the receivers James coaches. But nevermind Tuesday-afternoon quarterbacking. James has a great shot at the Oakland job. But I’m afraid for his track career. NFL coaches work 100-hour weeks, and when will James find time to train and compete? Oh well.

Gary Snyder may become the masters version of Ronald Reagan — “the Great Communicator.” In email he sent today to 60 masters leaders, he begins a regular report on what’s up. The subject line: View from the Chair. Among his announcements: “I have appointed Joy Upshaw-Margerum, Pacific Association, as the Championship Site Selection Chair. Joy has extensive contacts through out USATF and her first assignment is to find a site for the 2009 Indoor Championship.” She’ll need some help, though. So if you know of an indoor track that might be induced to host the 2009 nationals, speak up!

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