Although I’m not competing at the Pan-Pacific Masters Games in Sacramento this summer, I subscribe to the group’s e-mail newsletters. The latest notice indicates that the Pan-Pac people may be worried about a lack of entries. It sayeth: “The Early Entry Deadline has been extended to June 15! Make sure you get your entry application in soon to be entered for the chance to win a trip to Australia for the 2004 Pan Pacific masters Games in the Gold Coast . . . See you this July!!!” Love those !!! — Always a tipoff that you’re getting desperate.

One reason for the possible shortfall of entrants (in track at least) is the expectation of sizzling summer heat. Sacramento has temps in the high 90s and low 100s in early August — with high humidity. On the Pan-Pac Web site’s bulletin board, an athlete asked whether a 10,000-meter race was scheduled and “will there be evening/night time races on the track?”
The “Pan Pac Manager” responded:
“There will not be a 10,000m run, however, the Road Race is a 10K. Competition for the Track and Field is scheduled to run 8am-2pm daily so there will not be any nighttime races on the track.”
That in turn brought this response from Mark Cleary, the SoCal Track Club coach who also serves as USATF Masters Western Regional Coordinator:
“The fact that there will be no night Track events goes to show that very little concern was shone for older racers. July in Sacramento can be extremely hot. I guess it will take someone expiring on the track complete with lawsuit for administrators to take the athletes welfare into account. Also the fact that you planned this in a year when WMA puts on the World Champs in July and the USATF Outdoor Track & Field champs are on August 10th thru the 14th. It would have made so much more sense to hold these PanAm games next year instead. I for one will boycott them.”
The “Pan Pac Manager” replied thusly:
“Older racers concerns have indeed been taken into account for these Games. While there ar eno night events, the competition does start at 8:00 in the morning when it is still quite cool in Sacramento.
“Also, the Pan Pacific Games are held every year. We are extremely sensitive to the WMA Championships in the beginning of July and the USATF Masters Championships in August. In no way are we trying to steal competitors from either of these events, but rather, offering masters athletes another opportunity to compete. In fact, a very ambitious travler could take in all three events if they so choose.
“We’re sorry to hear you will not being attending the Pan Pacific Masters Games, it will be a great event.”
Just FYI — You don’t have to enter the meet to enter the sweepstakes — and have a chance at the free trip to Australia in 2004. The Web site details how to enter the drawing without being a paid entrant:
• To enter the Prize Drawing without applying to participate in any Pan Pacific Masters Games, mail a 3×5 card on which you have hand-printed your first and last name, current address and telephone number, and date of birth to: Pan Pacific Masters Games – Prize Drawing, P.O. Box 19278, Sacramento, CA 95819. The 3×5 entry card must be received by June 15, 2003.
• Only one entry per person shall be accepted, regardless of the method of entry.
• Incorrect, incomplete or illegible information on the entry may result in forfeiture of the right to win the Prize Ticket.
Whether you’re braving the heat, or beating the system, best of luck!