World’s fastest woman over 80 named USATF Athlete of the Week
Irene Obera is flat-out fast — for any age.
Here’s the USATF news release on Irene:
Irene Obera named USATF Athlete of the Week
3/19/2014
INDIANAPOLIS — Breaking four records and taking three national titles in just one weekend, Irene Obera was named USATF Athlete of the Week after her phenomenal performances at the USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston, March 14-16.
With new World and American record times in three running events, Obera (Fremont, Calif.) took titles in the W80 division for the 60, 200 and 400 meters. Masters records are ratified annually in December. She finished the 60m in 10.37, won the 200m in 36.53 and defeated the quartermile field with her time of 1:34.25.
Not to be overlooked, Obera was also impressive in the throws, surpassing the current shot put record with her mark of 6.76m/22-2.25. She was eventually overtaken in the event and finished as runner-up, but ended her weekend with three national titles despite not competing in a national championship in three years. Obera, who had not raced in the 400m since the 1990s, came out of her retirement because her competitive nature compelled her to do so and announced her intent to participate in the 2014 USA Masters Outdoor Championships as well.
Obera wins AOW honors during a week that included several strong performances. Ed Burke, a masters M70-74 athlete, set a new world record in the weight throw; Shalane Flanagan set an American record in the 15 km; Phyllis Francis of the University of Oregon set an indoor AR in the 400m at 50.46 and anchored the 4x400m relay to gold to clinch the women’s team title, and Kendell Williams of the University of Georgia set a World Junior record indoors in the pentathlon with 4635 points at the NCAA Division I Championships meet.
Now in its 13th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2014 Winners: January 15, Chris Derrick; January 22, Galen Rupp; January 29, Galen Rupp; February 5, Alexa Efraimson; February 12, Mike Rutt; Feb. 19, Bernard Lagat; Feb. 26, Sharon Day-Monroe; March 3, David Torrence; March 13, Francena McCorory; March 19, Irene Obera.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the country’s No. 1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org.
6 Responses
AWESOME PERFORMANCE. NICE PRE-EVENT ARTICLE IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.
Craig, I wish you could have been there to see Irene. Sometimes it’s a bit patronizing or even somewhat offensive to describe a member of the 80+ set as young, but in this case I will say the following, Craig:
This young woman can fly.
Go way back, Goteborg, 1977. World Championship.
Irene won the 100 m, and I could only admire her style and her speed. I think, I took 3rd?
After the race Irene came over and asked me, if I would run the 4 x 100 m relay with the USA team.
(Sherry Sherrard, Almete Parish, and Irene) I had run enough relays in my life, had lived in the States for a few years, so I just said yes and was happy to be invited. Needless to say, minutes later the German team asked me the same … to be honest, I did not know what I should be doing!… I stayed with my commitment to the USA team, we won the race, and have been friends ever since. The German athletes gave each of us a rose at the awards ceremony!
Irene and I practiced a hand-off in front of the main train station, with a rolled – up paper as a baton – pretty silly – remember, we were only in our 40th…
Inbetween… Irene was the key to winning a “few”
4×400 m relays at World Championships, that was also
Jeannie Daprano’s debut – in Melbourne! And I did not like to run 400 m, Irene made me do it!
Fast forward, in Sacramento, Irene again helped us to win the 4 x 100. This time,Barbara Jordan and Flo Meiler were in the mix. It felt as sweet as the first time.
The “older” women, what ever that is…. are going way back, returning and enjoying their ” victory/come back/ come again”
Thanks, Reno, and all good thoughts for Barb !
I would like to thank Christel Donley for her coments on our relationship. Thanks for jogging up
enjoyable moments we have shared in track and the relays in particular. The incident where we were practicing the baton passes on the street/sidewalk at night was very vivid and so was the RED GUICCI caps we bought and wore. Im sure we had laughs at us as well as with us, but it was fun times. Our rivals were the Germany team in the 4x100m. I looked forward to racing against them, even though we seem to alternate years winning World Relays.
Christel & I go way back. Hopefully in Nor.Carolina Outdoors we can hook up again for another relay.
I have had the good fortunte to compete and be friends with such wonderful women as Audrey Lary,Magdalena Kehune,Fei-maeChow,Jeannie Daparano,Lucille Ligon ,Shirley Dietderich, Thelma Rubin ,Phil Raschker to name a few.
Congrats on your well deserved honor, Irene. You have long been one my heroes. When I saw the photo of your beautiful sprinting form, I was reminded of the times we spent on the track at Pinole Valley High School, where you tried your best to help this wanna be sprinter. I am thrilled that you are doing so well and still competing. Give my best to Enver and Eileen.
I watched Irene run at indoor nationals. Absolutely amazing and inspiring!
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