Years in the making, “Forever Fast” is being rolled out as a marketing video for USATF masters track. It was posted on YouTube this week, and I saw it for the first time this morning. It kicks ass! Hits on all cylinders — great interviews, production values, action clips and humor. I especially like the use of W55 multi-eventer Kim Williams, a Maine resident who says, “Your body ages, but your spirit doesn’t age.” Kim doesn’t have an “athlete’s body.” But frump is good when it comes to reaching the masses of menopausal women who might say to themselves: “I can’t do that.” Fact is, Kim can! She rocks.

John Oleski of Boston, who shepherded the 13-minute video as USATF Masters Marketing Committee chair, also appears in it, saying: “I didn’t want to be a spectator in life. I didn’t want to go on the sidelines of life.” (He’s the male version of frump — looking slow but having fun.)

Much of the action was shot at 2009 Oshkosh masters nationals and also at Boston indoor nationals, showing all ages and abilities — and only a fleeting glimpse of Phil Raschker. (This was wise. We don’t want to scare people away from the sport by showcasing her superhuman abilities as somehow typical of the competition.)

I’m in the video, too — for about two seconds with my cap turned backwards 4:25 into the clip.

Marcus Santi, an M35 sprinter, is shown saying: “The fountain of youth exists right here on the track.”

Bingo!

Last July, USATF Masters T&F Committee won a “challenge grant” of nearly $12,000 to help market itself, primarily through this video. The money was well-spent!

Congrats to director George Araneo for a superlative job. Now get out there and share the link!

Here’s how USATF announced the video on Wednesday:

FOREVER FAST, USA Masters Promotional Film, Premieres in Boston
3/2/2011
 
INDIANAPOLIS – FOREVER FAST, the USA Masters promotional film, premiered in Greater Boston on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Waverley Oaks Athletic Club in Waltham, Mass. The film’s inspiring theme – that athleticism is possible at all ages – was an obvious hit with the enthusiastic crowd at Waverley Oaks.
 
FOREVER FAST is a 14-minute USA Track & Field film that will promote Masters Track & Field throughout the United States. The film is a dynamic new tool that will 1) recruit new participants to Masters Track & Field and 2) attract sponsors that want to associate their products or services with “lifetime competitive fitness” and “positive aging.”
 
Boston-based film maker, George Araneo, produced and directed FOREVER FAST under his company, Life Skills Productions. Editor and camera man for the film was Aleksandar Lekic, and the title and concept of FOREVER FAST originated with John Oleski, marketing chair for USATF Masters Track & Field. Gary Snyder, chair for USATF Masters Track & Field, was instrumental in getting USATF commitment for the film.
 
FOREVER FAST will be shown throughout the U.S. at health and athletic clubs, and a multitude of other venues, for people who are already reasonably fit, but don’t know about the opportunities for competition and camaraderie that Masters Track & Field offers.
 
FOREVER FAST will also be presented as a continuous loop showing at road races, youth track meets (for parents, of course) and other venues.
 
To view FOREVER FAST, click here.
 
For inquiries, contact John Oleski at joleski@usatfne.org .
Phone: 781-235-3800.