USATF to hear proposal to downgrade nationals shuttle-hurdle relay
Hurdlers should note a USATF rules proposal set for debate at Dayota Beach to downgrade (not drop, as I suggested earlier) the shuttle-hurdle relay at masters nationals: “Item 108 – Submitted by Gary Snyder, Chair Masters T&F. Amend Rule 331.1(b) as follows: ((Shuttle Hurdle Relay)) Reason: Remove as a championship event pending an event definition.” Also: False alarm on a new false-start proposal for masters track. Rules will stay the same, if the latest ideas are an indication. In other words, we won’t go back to “no false start.” See the slate of USATF rule changes being considered at Dayton Beach annual meeting in December. Lots of masters rule changes are proffered, however, especially for LDR types. Since this doesn’t interest me, read the doc for specifics.
Women compete in shuttle hurdles at 2010 Sacramento masters nationals.
Also interesting is Item 50, submitted by Chairman Gary Snyder on behalf of masters throws czar Jerry Bookin-Weiner.
Here’s the wording and reasoning:
In making a throw, the competitor may choose to assume any starting position ((and shall use both hands)), holding the weight exclusively by the handle, and using both hands except at the start of the throw and at the release of the implement.
Reason: The language about both hands does not appear in either the IAAF Rules (with regard to the Hammer Throw), nor in the NCAA Rules (with regard to either the Hammer Throw or the Weight Throw). Evidently this was adopted to prevent throwers using the Scottish Games technique, which is similar to the Discus Throw. What it has created is a situation where officials are attempting to determine when an athlete has released the trailing hand (right for a right-handed thrower and left for a left-handed thrower) in order to determine if this rule is being violated. It is impossible to have both hands in contact with the implement until it is fully released; and there is no advantage to the athlete gained if the trailing hand is released ahead of the lead hand. The proposed change is intended to clarify that release of the trailing hand should not be considered a foul.
24 Responses
How bout a Steeplechase relay 🙂
This is the key phrase – Remove as a championship event pending an event definition.
Not an attempt to remove the event but it’s not contested other than the national meet and until it has lower level competition it should not be a REQUIRED event at our championships. It may continue as a trial pending discussion at the Annual Meeting.
Gary Snyder
Chair
MAsters T&F
WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD THE SPORT OF MASTERS TRACK NOT TRY TO TAKE AWAY EVENTS WHATS NEXT DECATHLON,PENTATHLON,TRIPPLEJUMP,WE NEED ALL THE EVENTS WE CAN GET AND MORE INVITE MEETS,CHEW ON THIS TILL THE FLAVOR IS GONE.
Thanks for clarification, Gary. I’ll modify head and text to reflect event is still planned.
Open letter to all SPRINTERS (Gary Snyder in particular).
As long as the rules allow one “free” false start, I’m going to take it.
Even to the detriment of the rest of the field. Question is what are you gonna do about it?
Did you say tr tr triple jump?
i was thrilled to be a part of the shore ac m50 4some that ran in the inaugural shuttle hurdles relay in orno maine 2007.( although also a jumper, i attended orno solely because of that event ) i ran on my hs teams at rbc, college at seton hall u. and post collegian with shore ac , but as i got older there was no chance for an older athlete to get that wonderful spark that so many times, morphs mediocrity into adrenaline, and afterburners.for hurdlers there is only one way that can happen in a team setting…shuttle hurdle relay. if the governing body needs to further define the event, i will be happy to describe to the best of my ability, every step of every race i had the fortune to be a part of, throughout my 44 year love affair with the shuttle hurdle relay..and i remember every one as if it happened just yesterday…!
More importantly, who’s the gal on the left? Looks pretty speedy!
I think that’s Joy Upshaw on left.
I WAS TRYING TO GET MASTERS SHUTTLE HURDLES AT PENN RELAYS ,DOWN DOWN WE GO WE NEED MORE EVENTS,
NO MORE MASTERS NATIONAL CLUB RELAYS
Hey Keith McQ:
Good points, but try leave your ‘caps lock’ key off when you’re sending a message. (It’s easier to read when the message is not all in capital letters.) Hope to meet you at the next big meet: I know you’re a good athlete. -regards-Grant L
I will be in Florida. Asking other SHR supporters to be there and vote to keep the event in. We have had a great response at Nationals
Next challenge is to have them at the local meets.
Usatf,please consider all the hard work jeff and all of the hurdlers have accomplished. Please don’t take the event away I intend to showcase my hard work and come out of hiding and run you ready for this is twelve nine zero yes….
.and want to run shuttles as part of preparation for worlds…
I have so enjoyed the shuttle event and at nationals we always have enough to put together some competitive teams. I would love to see it continue. It is not an event that will get local participation because there are not that many hurdlers at any of the local meets.It is not included in local cllege meets yet it is run at Penn and Drake! I have flown to New England to be the only hurdler in my age group running down the track in the open hurdles. Gary, give us a break..the hurdlers are there to fill the lanes at nationals..is it really necessary to have the event at local venues? They run it at the Penn Relays but not at regular college meets. It is a specialty,-fun,-one of a kind event that is getting participation every time we run it! I think this might have more to do with the difficulty of setting it up at the meet than with “definition”. Let the jumpin beans have their fun!
Jumpin beans just wanna have fun – isn’t that a Cindi Lauper song?
Congrats,keith for your part of the shuttle usa record,wow your good people and im proud of you,all hurdle world and american records,belong to the usa hurdle legacy, ,,, open or shuttles, arries merritt set a new era for all. usa hurdlers open and masters to keep our tradition. Dave a so to be m fifty hurdler.
Opinion – if there are not enough clubs to field a full track of SHR teams at ANY meet, and the event essentially is a bunch of all star teams at the Nationals, then why does it merit being a national championship.
I guess then because the hurdle event at many meets sometimes (many times) is only one or two participants and only well attended at nationals (when the all-stars show) that we should scratch the hurdles also. Besides, it’s such a pain to set up!
I think that everyone is overlooking kne fundamental point – track meets are for the ATHLETE. To me, it doesn’t matter whether the shuttle hurdle relay is a champiosnhip event or not. If a bunch of guys want to run the relay, then juat do it!
I understand the reason for the amendment peoposal. But, I run in track meets to have fun. I assume everyone elae does as well. So, if a bunch of crazy hurdlers want to have some fun at a track meet, have at it.
Thanks Dexter for weighing in on this…You and I have the same philosophy…let’s have fun! That’s why I continue to participate.
It’s interesting that there is an effort on someone’s part to derail the SHR event. It took three years of following proper protocol and political maneuvering to get the SHR as an official event including hosting SHR at “lower-level” meets. ALL USATF requirements including its “event definition” were met. On top of that “exhibition” SHR at National Meets took place the prior two years. If we are going to have a witch hunt lets include all the events that don’t have as strong a national meet presence as the SHR like both race walks, or either of the Steeplechase events. While we are at it lets also consider getting rid of the 4×800 and pole vault as their showing at nationals is a little better but not much. Other than someone’s nose being out of joint the SHR is a pleasure to watch and a joy to compete in. Instead of trying to downgrade this event the effort should be getting this as a World Championship event. How cool would that be?
Any hurdlers attending this year’s convention. Please contact me Jeff Davison
jad-calif@cox.net
Great news.
I am at the convention today. Results:
Shuttle hurdle relay will remain a standard event at outdoor Nationals, and is now an optional event at outdoor association and outdoor regional. And still elgible for American records.
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