Calling all Tweeters! Let me know if you talk track using Twitter
Some Twitter accounts I follow. Click on the image to see my tweets.
Pasadena results: M75 Whilden threatened Payton Jordan AR
Terry Hearst of Royal Results graciously sent me results from Saturday’s California Senior Games at Caltech. See them here. They confirm Christel Donley’s W75 American record in the shot. She threw 7.57 meters (24-10) and broke the listed record by more than 2 inches. Among other noteworthy marks: M75 Bobby Whilden‘s 100 of 13.83 (with legal wind) — just off Payton Jordan’s 13.72 American record, and M80 Don Cheek’s triple of 100 (16.10w), 200 (34.63) and 400 (1:20.58). Also: Nolan Shaheed’s solo 800 in 2:15.99; M55 Greg Stines’ shot put of 15.44 (50-8); and Willie Banks’ jump trifecta (high 1.80/5-10 3/4, long 5.66/18-7 and triple (mark missing from results. I’ll try to get them.)
M60 Nolan Shaheed, looking younger with longer hair and no goatee, ran the 800 in an unchallenged 2:16. (Photo by Chris Stone)
Another WR for Weia Reinboud: W60 high jump of 1.45 meters
Jumping at 1999 Gateshead worlds. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Merlene Ottey puts W50 world record for 100 outtasight: 11.72
Merlene Ottey
Kathy Bergen, Christel Donley claim American records at Pasadena
Kathy Bergen — despite an injured hammie — cleared 1.25 meters (4-1 1/4) today in the high jump at the California Senior Games at Caltech. That beat the listed W70 American record of 1.22 (4-0) by Leonore McDaniels in 1998. (The listed world record is 1.27 (4-2) by Christiane Schmalbruch in 2007.) Kathy already has at least three world records this season, including the indoor 60 and high jump — and the 14.76 100 at Mt. SAC, where she hurt her hamstring and still feels it. Kathy, along with several other hobbled athletes, used the meet in Pasadena to qualify for the 2011 National Senior Olympics in Houston. They got a taste of Texas heat as well, with temps in the high 80s (and appreciable humidity). In the shot, meet organizer Christel Donley (whose son helped with heat sheets) beat the listed W75 American record of 7.51 (24-7Вѕ) by Gloria Krug in 2007. Not sure of Christel’s distance, but it was confirmed with a steel tape.
The grandparent-grandchild relay, a traditional treat at the Caltech meet, included one pair in which the elder ran the wrong way. (Photo by Ken Stone)
At Oslo, Bernard Lagat smashes American open record for 5000
Bernard Lagat is becoming our Geb. Tonight at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Oslo, the M35 superstar claimed the U.S. national record for 5000 meters by clocking 12:54.12. That beats the listed American open record of 12:56.27 by Dathan Ritzenhein in 2009 and the M35 world record of 13:07.40 by Dieter Baumann. The listed M35 American record is 13:26.03 by Steve Plasencia in 1993. See results here. USATF’s press release is here. If Bernard’s mark doesn’t become the WMA world record soon, WMA might as well close up shop and slink away in shame.
Here's how Bernard's mark appears on the official Oslo website.
James Lofton back in the game: runs 12.48 at San Diego all-comers
James Lofton, the humble NFL Hall of Famer, entered his first meet in a while Wednesday — the San Diego Summer Nights all-comers at Cathedral Catholic High School. Not a bad return at age 54. He clocked a 12.48 (auto-timed) in the 100 — into a wind. More than an hour later, he started the 400, but dropped out near 300 after feeling a cramp in his hamstring. No problem. At least he’s fully recovered from foot surgery. He had a fracture a few years ago. James was one of a couple dozen masters entered at the meet, which drew 160 people from ages 7 to 67.
James ran a 400 at a USC meet back in July 2006. (Photo by Ken Stone)
Read the rest of this post »
Masters 100 exhibitions at USA open nationals are in jeopardy
Last June, Duane Gosa upset Robert Thomas in the masters 400 exhibition at the USATF nationals in Eugene. It was one of the best showcase races ever contested at USA nationals. But this year, the masters men’s event — a 100-meter dash — is threatened with cancellation. So says world champ Robert himself. He’s now vice chair of the USATF Masters T&F Committee, and he wrote me today: “At this point we only have one guy signed up in the 100.” The masters women’s 100 is in worse shape. Nobody has entered. Deadline for entry is June 13, and event info is posted here. Men are supposed to be sub-11.40 and women sub-13.6. But if you’re on the bubble, I suggest you write to national invitational coordinator Mark Cleary ASAP. Maybe you’ll get to run in The Show at Des Moines. The masters exhibitions are back-to-back at 1:40 p.m. and 1:50 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at Drake University.
Geb finally rates M35 WR in the marathon, but many still wait
Geb gets WMA record!
Karen Steen, Cheryl Bellaire burn superfast miles a country apart
Three days and nearly 3,000 miles apart, W45 Karen Steen and W50 Cheryl Bellaire ran some beautifical miles. On May 23, Dr. Bellaire, 51, delivered a 5:34.83 at the 23rd annual Millersville Mile about 75 miles west of Philadelphia. On May 26, Karen clocked a 5:11.2 mile at an all-comers meet in Shoreline, Washington. Karen’s mile — amid cool and wet conditions — was named the outstanding female performance of the meet. It was seconds off the listed American record of 5:07.76 by Jeanne Lasee-Johnson in 2002. (Results for the Shoreline meet are here. Cheryl’s race results are here.)
Karen (left) at 2009 Oshkosh nationals, and Cheryl Bellaire (with her college coach, Tom Ecker, at Millersville. (Photos by Ken Stone and Marilu Sieber)
Read the rest of this post »
