USATF Masters Hall of Fame 2015: Q&A with Oscar Peyton

USATF doesn’t do justice to its Masters Hall of Famers — especially in recognizing new classes. Indy just releases the names. So last week I sent queries to the new HofFamers, and I’ll post their responses here. First up: Oscar Peyton, of Accokeek, Maryland, the hero of skinny sprinters everywhere. He replied Dec. 9.

Oscar Peyton wins the M60 sprint at 2014 Wake Forest masters nationals.

Oscar wins the M60 100 in 12.08 at 2014 Wake Forest masters nationals.

Masterstrack.com: When and how did you learn of your induction into Class of 2015?

Oscar: I was notified by email about four days ago.

What was your reaction to the honor, and what does it mean to you?

I was pleased that I was being recognized for many years of top performances in major masters tournaments. For me, this was a goal that I set years past.

What aspects of your career helped you gain this honor?

It helps a great deal to be naturally fast and the fact that I have competed nationally on a regular basis helped. 

Unlike other Hall of Fame, members of this one continue their athletic and admin careers. What are your own goals as a masters athlete or administrator? How long can you keep this up?

I want to have one of those multiple record-breaking years and achieve overall Male Masters Athlete of the Year. That is a very difficult honor to achieve. Hopefully, I can keep this up until I am 70 to 75 years old. I am not going to compete while on medication of any type besides painkillers.

Also unlike other Halls of Fame, ours has no physical location. Should USATF Masters make an effort to find such a home?  If so, where should it be?

In my opinion, somewhere in California or Oregon. Maybe Eugene.

What is the most prized moment of your masters career? 

Probably winning a silver medal (60 meters) at my FIRST masters competition ever, which happened to be 2003 nationals indoors.

Anything else readers should know about you or your career?

So far, it has been mostly a pleasure competing with and meeting the rest of the community. I have been on a mission to make people aware of the existence of Masters T&F from young to old.  I am open to talk about training, injury issues, nutrition and the mental side of masters T&F to my peers. 

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December 17, 2015

14 Responses

  1. Peter L. Taylor - December 17, 2015

    I wish I had $30 for every time I’ve said “Oscar Peyton in the middle” over the last 12.5 years; I’d be a rich man today. He never looks rushed, indeed he never seems to be going all out, but appearances are not important — just check out the results.

    That was a great Boston indoors where Oscar made his masters debut in 2003. His silver in the 60 was behind the legendary Bill Collins, who came back the next day to run a “sick” 22.99 in the 200 at age 52. Who could have foreseen their great rivalry at that time?

    This is a well-deserved honor, Oscar.

  2. Oscar A Peyton - December 17, 2015

    Ref. #1: Pete, You remember the 2003 Indoor Nationals at well as I do. I set another goal at that Nationals that involved “The Legend” or “GOAT” which he is. I would have loved to run that 200 with him just to see how close I could get but I injured my groins in both legs and was not able to compete. I was no where close to being prepared for 2003 Boston and so green. The older Masters Sprinters helped me a lot there also. That was the only meet that I attended and did not complete my double sprint events after all these years. It was the first and still stands as the last. I am proud and fortunate to have accomplished that.

  3. Mitch Maxwell - December 18, 2015

    I had the pleasure of meeting Oscar this year at The Outdoor Championships in Jacksonville and he is as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet. His longevity, graciousness, and accomplishments in the sport are something I admire and look up to as a younger masters sprinter. So congrats Oscar and a well deserved induction.

  4. Chris Swedish xpress Garpenborg - December 18, 2015

    Thank you Oscar for being such an inspiration to so many including myself.I hope to compete with you in 11/2 years time in Malaga Spain.

  5. Anselm - December 19, 2015

    Ocar Peyton, welcome to a place where it’s reserved for only a selected few and you are one of those my friend. I am happy that you now in the same place as many of those outstanding masters runners including myself (LOL). Your selection is long overdue and well deserved because of all the hard word and dedication you put in to make you one of the all time best, so enjoy it because it’s the highest honor you can get in masters track and field. Congrats my friend.

  6. Sean Burnett - December 19, 2015

    Congratulations Oscar! We met both last year and spoke for a little while in Jacksonville this year during the 4×100. I started in 2011 on the Masters circuit and I am amazed at the performances you have brought to the sport. It shocks me that you have not received Male Athlete of the Year yet because I’ve seen some incredible performances from you in the short time I’ve been in the Masters environment. I pray that you have many more outstanding seasons and I hope to be the first to congratulate you on your Male Athlete of the Year when you get it! Congrats once again and I’ll see you soon!

  7. Lionel jackson - December 19, 2015

    Congratulations Oscar on being inducted into the masters track and field Hall of Fame. Well deserved my brother. It was a pleasure and an honor to run with you at this years outdoor nationals on the 4×100 relay. What a hell of an Anchor leg. Again congrats and Thanks for the privilege to run with a Hall of Famer.

  8. Steven Snow - December 19, 2015

    Oscar, this is truly a well-deserved honor, and I am most happy for you. Congratulations. You are one of the best, and I don’t mean only in a competitive sense.

  9. Roger Pierce - December 20, 2015

    Oscar….You totally deserve this honor. Great competitor and superb sprinter…and a class act.I remember your early masters races, and it has been a pleasure to watch you over the years. Stay well and fast my friend… PS I voted for you!!!

  10. Craig Simmons - December 20, 2015

    Congratulations to Hall of Famer Oscar Peyton. One of the fastest sprinters of all time. Visually he is very impressive. I think you have at least one world record, in the 60m. The amazing 100m record in 11.70 in the 60-64 category by Ron Taylor in 1994 seems to be within your reach. Good luck in having the long career that you want, it certainly would be great to see you running still at age 75. I expect you to get a 100m world record in one of the age groups if you can stay healthy, and I feel certain that is a goal of yours so good luck with that also. You really are a sight to behold flying down the track.

  11. Craig Davis - December 21, 2015

    Oscar: Only need to compete against you once a year Ha! From one of the shortest to the tallest. Comgrats on this honor. You work Hard and it shows.

  12. Burr Daly - December 21, 2015

    Oscar, congratulations to you for a well deserved award. I notice that in your reply you were too humble to give the answer that you give to all who seek your advice: “You’ve got to put in the work at practice.”
    I’m sure that you will still be running well past your 70’s.

  13. Richard Whitehead - September 13, 2017

    How and where do you train in the middle of winter.

  14. Oscar Peyton - December 18, 2017

    I train three days a week from Jan. thru Mar. indoors at Episcopal High School in Northern VA. I have a blog on my website (peytonproject.com) that will give you a good idea of how I train.

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