Jumpers — scores of them — leap into our latest photo gallery
Kathy Bergen’s W70 world record (below) was a highlight of masters nationals (and with her AR in the 200 should have made her USATF Athlete of the Week). But she was far from being the only jumping star at Sacramento. See our new gallery, devoted to folks who go high and long. Wife Chris did the heavy lifting here, preparing hundreds of shots. (She took the vast majority of vault fotos as well.) I’m especially proud of her series on John Altendorf, the helmeted star. Also see Olympians Tiombe Hurd and Willie Banks. Hurdlers (including steeplechase) and banquet shots still coming.
Kathy cleared 1.30 meters for her second WR of the day. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Italian masters long jumper caught up in Paralympic doping case
Roberto La Barbera
Our photo gallery goes the distance — even if it’s just 400 meters
Latest photo gallery from nationals spotlights distances. Of course, I use that term loosely — since anything over 200 is a distance for me. So you’ll see some pentathletes, quarter-milers and racewalkers here. It’s all good. I’m in awe of anyone who circled the Sac State track. Among our fave shots: Kevin Forde in a prayerful pose (he took third in his 5K, which he blogged about.) Lisa Valle in her finishing kick. An official guarding an exhausted runner. (He’s not oblivious; he’s shielding her from other finishers.) And a stampede (below) in the men’s 1500.
M40s start the final won by Nick Berra in 4:04.34. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Merlene Ottey becomes oldest athlete in Euro championships
Merlene Ottey anchored Slovenia’s 4×1 team today to seventh in the heats at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Her team ran 44.3 But in the year’s most important track meet, Merlene made history — becoming its oldest entrant ever. The BBC took note of this while interviewing the 50-year-old legend. In the chat, Merlene says she’d like to run at 60, to “see what I can do.” Her split today was probably sub-11 seconds. Look for a 12.50 in 10 years. (The listed W60 world record is 13.89.)
Merlene Ottey sat for BBC chat on eve of the European open champs in Spain.
Douglas Kalembo aiming for even faster 400: amazing 47 seconds
Having run a near-solo sub-50 at 50, Douglas Kalembo is thinking Superman stuff. In reply to a request for details on his M50 world record in the 400 (49.85), Douglas wrote me: “My goal this year is to run 47.00.” He also described his day July 25: “Got up at 7, (ate) honey bunches of oats with almonds cereal. I was racing at 2:30. My warmup is always 1 mile and 4×100, walk back then running drills (for the) duration of my warmup. . . . Then rest for one hour. My race plan was to run the first 200 in 22 and then hang on for 25-26 for last 200, but was not feeling good. I had developed fever on Thursday because I overstayed in the ice bath. The weather was very hot — 97. Was very surprised with myself, because I was really feeling bad. The crowd was very supporting as you can hear on the video.” Here’s a video of the historic sub-50 at 50:
Throwers exerted selves for the benefit of our cameras (thanks!)
With faces contorted and limbs extended, throwers put on a show at Sacto. Our faves included Neni Lewis in the shot. The sophisticated measuring system for long throws (with no tape). A gent who wore sandals (but no socks) in the hammer throw. And a totally pumped Rob Suelflohn, winner of the M50 shot. See the gallery.
Kathy Jager's painted fingernails softened the shot. (Photo by Chris Stone)
Sacramento entrants, officials got creative in coping with heat
We neglected to bring a thermometer to the track at Sacramento nationals. But no doubt the temps reached triple digits several days, especially Saturday. Even without shade, provisions were made. Distance runners (including M50 racewalker Joseph Berendt) availed themselves of a lane 3 overhead spray in the 5K and 10K runs. Dr. Richard Watson of toasty Yuma shaded himself with a canopied chair with his cooler nearby. Organizers provided water stations on the track beginning the second day. See the gallery. Four or five more to come.
Officials were treated to popsicles at the high jump. (Photo by Chris Stone)
Sprint photos are second out of the blocks in our gallery series
Australia’s Peter Crombie says it was freezing back home in Sydney. But he was plenty warmed up while beating world record-holders Steve Robbins and Don Neidig in the M65 100 at Sacramento nationals. (See photo below.) In our second photo album from masters nationals, Chris chose some great action shots. See the gallery here. Among our fave fotos: Brenda Matthews beating Phil Raschker in the 100 (after doing the same in the W60 final of the 60 at Kamloops). Bill Collins edging me in the 200 heats. (Bill didn’t run the final. He had suffered leg cramps at the Athletes Banquet the night before.) Bert Bergen getting ready to smooch his record-setting wife, Kathy, after her W70 victory in the 200. Dr. Allan Tissenbaum turning back last year’s M50 triple champ Mike Waller in the 100. And W75 sprint legend Irene Obera getting the paparazzi treatment after her 100-meter win.
Peter (center) beat Steve (left) and Don in the 100, with the top three times being 12.62, 12.63 and 12.72. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Photos but not finished: Our first gallery from Sacto nationals
Chris and I brought home more than 5,000 photos from masters nationals. The memory cards didn’t melt, thank goodness. Sacramento was great for action, but just as amazing for expressions — enjoyment for Joy Upshaw, dismay for injured John Burns (he dislocated his knee upon takeoff in the M65 high jump), and relief for Randy Sturgeon, shown below, whose comeback from knee surgery culminated in a pentathlon sixth for M55. Our favorite shot (by Chris) depicts a distance runner spitting out a mouthful of water during the 5,000-meter run. Anyone know his name? See the gallery here!
National Masters News publisher Randy Sturgeon celebrated at finish of the pent 1500. He fell short of his 2600-point goal, but gave an All-American effort. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Mary Harada joins elite club: SI mention in Faces in the Crowd
The week after nationals, Sports Illustrated again features a masters trackster: Mary Harada of Massachusetts and Liberty AC. The SI squib doesn’t mention Mary’s great marks in Sacramento, including her W75 American record in the 1500 of 7:31.56, which sliced the listed mark of 7:42.30 by Bess James in 1985. No matter. Look for Mary on page 21 of the August 2-9 issue. When I sent Mary a heads up and questions Wednesday, she replied: “SI told me it hits the news stand on Thursday. . . . I shall take a trip to the local library tomorrow to see if they have a copy.”
Mary's photo is the same that appears with her Masters Hall of Fame award.
