Shuttle hurdles become an official event at masters nationals

Jeff Davison is a gimpy M50 hurdler with two injured hands. But give him a hand as the founding father of masters shuttle hurdles in America. For five years, starting after Hawaii nationals, he’s labored tirelessly to add his beloved back-and-forth event to the national schedule. At the Virginia Beach USATF annual meeting, his dream came true. It was voted an official national championships event. Teams can score points, and records can be set. Jeff sent us the results of the Rules Committee votes (based on masters delegates’ recommendation). Jeff writes: “A BIG thank you for all that supported the Shuttle Hurdle Relay.” No, thank YOU, Jeff, for being this event’s No. 1 advocate.

Jeff (left) and his hurdling role model: M90 record-holder Ralph Maxwell.

Here’s a detailed note Jeff has prepared on the shuttle hurdles:

Two Accepted Rules for the Masters (Outdoor) Shuttle Hurdle Relay: Dec. 2010

Two Masters (Outdoor) Shuttle Hurdle Relay rules were accepted at the December 2010 USATF Convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Starting in 2011: (a) an official event for USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field (no longer “exhibition” only), (b) a standard event at the USA Masters Track & Field National Outdoor Championships (yes –USATF medals for winning teams); (c) eligible for American Outdoor Records provided the record meets all USATF/Masters requirements and documentations; however not eligible for world records.

New/revised rules 331.1(b) and 332.2(j) were approved (by a close vote) at the December 2010 USATF Convention. . The new 2011 rules are not out yet. The prior 2010 rules can be found at: http://www.usatf.org/about/rules/2010/2010rules.pdf

The Shuttle Hurdle Relay must be competed as written in new rule 332.2(j)
This same rule was used at the three prior “exhibition events” that were held at the Masters Track & Field National Outdoor Championships in Maine, Wisconsin and California in 2007, 2009, and 2010. Note: There are some differences when compared to High School, College, and Open rules.

The two new rules apply to Outdoor only.

It is suggested that each team have two alternates in case of schedule conflicts, injury, or unforeseen conditions. Rules state not more than six athletes per team.

Standard hurdles rules apply: hand(s) may not touch the hurdle(s); athlete must clear hurdles as stated in USATF rules; no running starts, no false starts; etc.
The hurdles must comply with USATF rules as well

Item 109 Accepted by vote:
Item 109: Add Rule 332.2(j) as follows and re-letter: Shuttle Hurdle Relay consists of four same sex members competing in 10 year age groups (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, etc) running the Outdoor Short Hurdles in adjacent lanes in opposite directions using the same hurdle height, spacing, and distance as determined by the age of the youngest team member. After the race start, each team member must be in a set position when they start and shall only start after the incoming team member’s torso passes their respective start line. No baton or other exchange is required. Otherwise, all individual hurdle rules apply to each hurdler.
Reason: The purpose of this new rule is to define the requirements of the Shuttle Hurdle Relay as run by USATF Masters. For USATF Masters, the hurdle height, spacing, distance, and exchange line vary from the various non-standardized practices of high school, college, open, and other groups. USATF Masters have no exchange zone: the finish line of the incoming competitor is the start and exchange line for the outgoing competitor. Competitors must have achieved and be in a set position at the moment of their start: no rolling starts are permitted.

Item 106 Accepted by a close vote:
Item 106: Amend Rule 331.1(b) as follows: Add the Shuttle Hurdle Relay to the list of events for the National Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
Reason: Make shuttle hurdle relay a standard National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championship event. It has been successfully conducted as an exhibition event at National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships for several years.

Potential American records:
The relay team is composed entirely of U.S. citizens. Please refer to USATF rules for additional requirements (USATF sanctioned meet, etc.).

Next Masters National Outdoor Track & Field Competition:
July 2011 at Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.

Any questions please contact: Jeff Davison at “Shuttle Hurdle Relay” on Facebook or jad-calif@cox.net or woodhurdles.com/ShuttleHurdleRelay/1.html

And a quickie Q&A with Jeff “Mr. Shuttles” Davison:

Masterstrack.com: How long have you been working on this project?

Davison: After the nationals in Hawaii, I have been working on this part time to get the Shuttle Hurdle Relay more recognized; it became more apparent that many of the masters wanted (a) American record for the event, and (b) national medals for the event.

What prompted you to pursue such an event at nationals?

After the nationals in Hawaii and one meet in Arizona it became more apparent that we would need to hold the event at nationals to get more hurdlers involved.

How is your comeback from surgery going? Detail your surgery again, please.

I had a torn lateral men. after high jumping January 2009. I finished third at the San Diego Open Championships 42-inch hurdles, but the knee kept getting worse as the season progressed. January 2010 I had knee surgery. July 2010 finished seventh in the Masters Nationals Outdoor Championships high hurdles — a great start. Over two months ago, I broke both hands. I am still healing.

Who have been the key people in making this new event come to fruition?

Many of the masters hurdlers, National Masters News and the Games Committee to mention only a couple that helped in this process.

What are your hopes for the event—official records, more participants?

Participation at local meets and international meets is one major goal.

Shuttles for indoor nationals?

Sorry the indoor schedule does not have enough time available to add another event.

Will you seek shuttles for WMA world meets?

Seeking to hold a “clinic” or “exhibition” first.

What else is on your to-do list for masters track?

Compete until I am 90, and start writing sports statistics books.

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December 9, 2010

16 Responses

  1. Sarasota Masters Track - December 10, 2010

    Way to go Jeff!

  2. Peter Hlavin - December 10, 2010

    Kudos!

  3. Bill Pontius - December 10, 2010

    Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the masters haudling community, Jeff!

  4. Andrew Hecker - December 10, 2010

    Three cheers for Jeff and the Shuttle Hurdles.

    Hurdles are one category that separates USATF from the NSGA. Seniors ignore the existence of hurdles, short, long or steeplechase.

    Nationals is the appropriate place to do this, probably the only time we have enough hurdlers in the same place and now its not just an afterthought. Great job.

  5. Richard Holmes - December 10, 2010

    Congrats to you, Jeff! I’ve seen your passion over the years concerning the shuttle hurdles and happy to see the fruits of your labor!

  6. christel donley - December 10, 2010

    Jeff, I think, I gave you the thumbs up in Va.Beach.

    Now we just have to get our 70 plus womens team together. This year, we all “took our injuries together”
    Will you take us out to dinner again….. smile.
    Also, I really laughed about not needing a baton,
    we could slap hands, so nobody false starts, and then stumble to the first hurdle.

    Happy holidays to everybody, and esp. the hurdlers,
    stay injury free.

  7. al cestero - December 10, 2010

    thanks again (to jeff ) for your tireless efforts to make the world ( at least our masters track one ) notice the shuttle hurdle relay, and sanction it. i am very proud to have taken part in the inaugural running at orno maine ’07 as part of the shore ac m50 team, and i am a true fan of what you bring to our sport…best wishes…albert

  8. Courtland Gray - December 10, 2010

    I loved the shuttle hurdles relay when I ran it in college at the Penn Relays. I think we were second 3 times.

    I look forward to being able to run it again, the knees being willing. So far, no evidence that they are, unfortunately. We shall see.

    Thanks to Jeff for getting this done. It takes a dedicated individual effort to get something like this through the system. Not many are prepared to go the entire distance, so Jeff is to be applauded.

  9. keith McQuitter - December 11, 2010

    jeff try to get it at the pennrelays,they dont have masters shuttle hurdles

  10. MICHAEL DE JESUS - December 11, 2010

    CONGRATS JEFF!

  11. Michael Daniels - December 11, 2010

    Sounds great Jeff, but where do you get enough hurdlers to have more than two teams in the same age group and still do your other events if you do more than just the hurdles? I run both the hurdles and sprint. If I stay healthy I may try the Pentathon this year.

  12. KEITH MCQUITTER - December 13, 2010

    michael, he knows most of the M50 AND M60 HURDLERS he emails all of use and lets us know what hes plaining.

  13. Michael Daniels - December 13, 2010

    Thanks Keith. He can go to my website as linked to my name and add me to the list. I just started back hurdling alittle stronger last year. I don’t travel much. But I am interested. M60 #4 USA.

  14. Tony Echeandia - December 13, 2010

    I may run if someone needs me!

  15. Jeff Davison - December 14, 2010

    Thank you all for your support of the Shuttle hurdle Relay. Next big turn out for the Masters SHR will be late July 2011 in Ohio at the Masters National Outdoor Championships.

    I recommend two alternates for each team – just in case. And yes, we have needed the alternates in past years.

    Athletes can drop down an age-bracket if they so desire. But the Rules Committee only allows an athlete to compete in one age-bracket during the Shuttle Hurdle Relay event. (For example cannot compete in both M40-49 and M50-59 SHR – only in one of them).

    I will gladly assist in organizing teams if needed.

  16. Bob Osterhoudt - December 16, 2010

    Bravo and thank you, Sir Jeff! You have made a splendid effort. Will Courtland allow me to run on his team if I promise not to again go on at him about how thoroughly and ruthlessly he beat me in college?

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