John Altendorf quietly ups own M65 world record in pole vault
World champ John Altendorf, he of the red crash helmet, raised his own M65 world record in the vault to 3.89 meters (12-9) at a central Oregon meet Aug. 13. He writes: “On a web page of mine I have info and links to video of the jump as well as other record jumps. One in Eugene on July 28 would have been a WR had there been enough officials on hand to witness the measurement.” Also see the write-up about his record in the Bend newspaper. He missed three times at 13-1. Incredible height for a guy of retirement age. More details at Becca’s message board.
Guido Müller making guest appearance at Euro Masters Games
I missed Guido Müller at Sacramento. He’s a god of long hurdlers and quarter-milers. He’s 72 but still is a threat to break 60 seconds for the lap. Dunno why this German superstar didn’t compete at worlds, but he’s entered at the European Masters Games in two weeks. See the entry list here. The next World Masters Games, BTW, is Turin, Italy, and “interested host cities (for 2017) should contact [IMGA] if they need more information about the procedure.” An interesting element of the sample bid contract: “Drug tests will be conducted in accordance with Art. 8.6.1 of the Guidelines and the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.”
Parry, Glynn raise indoor vault WRs at Rocky Mountain Games
Art Parry
Kay Glynn at Fort Collins after upping her own W55 world record in the vault.
Courtesy of Seth Brower: Texas vs. Louisiana masters dual meet
Seth Brower puts pizzazz into track. Seth (Jeff Brower’s brother) runs meets in Texas. And come October 22, when the weather begin to cool, he has a great one planned in Houston: Texas vs. Louisiana masters, called the La-Tex Challenge. Of course, folks from the other 48 states can enter as well. Here’s the meet site. Seth writes: “Athletes from all states are welcome and custom medals will be awarded to places 1-3 by gender/age group. All athletes will be assigned and scored for one of the following states: Louisana, Texas, or Unattached. All events scored as follows: 1st (10), 2nd (8), 3rd (6), 4th (4), 5th (2), 6th (1). Relays: 10-year age divisions based on age of youngest runner.”
Newsletter features Bob Cozens in classic 1960 Peter Snell photo
M75 sprinter Bob Cozens is a featured subject of the debut issue the Houston Elite Track Club’s newsletter, which includes a great primer on running the 400 by Richard Riddle. But easily the best shot in the newsletter (see it here) is of Bob starting an 800 in 1960 against Olympic legend Peter Snell. Bill Collins, who I hope is making a fast recovery from his shocking illness this summer, leads the club. Toney Mulhollan, who appears to be the editor, writes: “I thought you might like to see a copy of the inaugural newsletter for the Houston Elite Track Club. It is free and you can sign up for it at the homepage of Acala-Sports.com. It contains interesting news, stories and articles on sprinting. It comes out bimonthly.”
Bob is shown more than 40 years apart in this incredible series.
Masters sprinter Kim Collins to challenge Bolt at Deugu worlds!
The sun just rose in the west. A masters-age sprinter will be in the 100-meter final at IAAF worlds. M35 Kim Collins (shown below in a heat) will challenge M25 freak-of-nature Usain Bolt later today. According to this Twitter feed, “At 35yrs and 144days @kimcollins100m becomes the oldest ever World 100m finalist, beating @christielinford’s 35yrs and 126 days.” Twitter also tells us about the semifinal: “2003 World Champion Kim Collins wins in 10.08, Nesta Carter was second in 10.16.” The listed M35 world record is 9.97 by Linford Christie, as a matter of fact. Hope the headwind lets up. Go Kim!
Bernard Lagat fends off graybeard vultures at IAAF Daegu worlds
The M35 5000-meter champion at Sacramento worlds was Fabrice Thiery of France, who clocked 15:15.20. Bernard Lagat, 36, should beat that time by more than 2 minutes at Daegu worlds. He may not take gold, but his biggest rival is the culture of shock that he’s even in South Korea. (Men’s 5K heats are September 1.) Witness this typical story. “I’m tired of people asking me which high school I go to,” Bernard said of his new beard. “I just wanted to make sure I look my age. This (beard) proves that Bernard Lagat has been there a long time. He’s an old man, but still running fast.” (BTW, the listed M35 WR is his own 12:54.12.) Go Bernard! Kick kiddie ass! Here is BL at Pre this year:
Elaine Iba, masters jumper and football star, dies at age 50 in SoCal
Elaine loved to fish.
Elaine was a world-ranked masters long jumper in the late 1990s.
Update: Phil Shinnick world record long jump gets wind-tunnel OK
Phil as a kid
It ain’t Armageddon, folks! But share your earthquake stories
I posted a story on La Mesa Patch with the headline: “East Coast Wimps? 5.9 Quake Leads to Evacuations and Vast Media Focus.” Left Coasters yawn at this, with one person posting a great shot of DC Earthquake Devastation. But I realize this is new for our Atlantic, Southern and Midwestern masters friends. So take a deep breath, count slowly to 10, and realize this isn’t the end of the world. Share your stories here.
Huffington Post homepage reflects the East Coast overreaction to quake.
