Records set at National Senior Games in technicality limbo
In late August, national masters chairman Gary Snyder wrote that he was seeking “middle ground” in the case of age-group records set the National Senior Games. On Monday, I wrote him for an update, and noted that the Palo Alto meet didn’t need a USATF meet sanction since the parent organization — the NSGA — already was a USATF member organization (as noted here). But that isn’t enough, Gary replied yesterday. “My understanding,” he wrote, “is that when referring to ‘member organizations’ we really mean the 5E Members:
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. . . National Collegiate Athletic Association . . .
National Federation of State High School Associations . . .
National Junior College Athletic Association . . .
Road Runners Club of America (and) . . .
Running USA.
There are also 5F Members which do not receive the reciprocal sanction privilege.” So many technicalities, so little justice.
U.S. Masters Rankings 1988-2001 are online for the first time
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In 1989, National Masters News tackled “Mission: Impossible.” It published the first of 14 annual booklets devoted to listing the best marks of every athlete mentioned in its results — across all age groups and events. Jerry Wojcik, senior editor of National Masters News, was coordinator of this Herculean effort. Over the years, he was aided by dozens of compilers. They’d comb the pages of NMN and produce long columns of type, listing every runner, jumper and thrower mentioned the previous year. The seasonal lists were collated into 8 1/2 x 10 3/4-inch booklets and distributed in March, usually around the time of indoor nationals. They sold for a pittance: $5.95 at first and $8 at most. The information was priceless. But until today, most booklets resided in dusty attics. No more. Thanks to Randell Sturgeon, publisher of NMN, all but two of these books are online at our masters museum: mastershistory.org.
For larger images of these front covers, go to our gallery.
Fastest friends: M55 sprinters Collins and Peters at Sydney
Bill Collins is home in Houston after an extended trip following the Sydney World Masters Games. He brought back a souvenir worth the price of admission: the snapshot of him and Dr. Stephen Peters, his M55 sprint rival from Britain. Whether Steve had the flu or a muscle pull, his absence from the finals took a little luster off the meet. Bill swept the 100, 200 and 400. But even Bill had problems. Coach Collins writes: “The meet was run really well; everyone made sure everything was run on time and if anyone had any questions or problems, it was handled in a very timely fashion. For me the weather was a little cool, but overall it was good, my leg held up OK running about 80% level during my races, the last day running the 200 and the 4X100 the leg gave me some trouble. I now plan to take two months off to fully heal.” Quite a season for everyone. Also, enjoy similar Sydney shots over at Women Running Together, where Carmel Papworth-Barnum shares memories of the blokes’ events and the sheilas’ events.
Bill Collins (left) and Steve Peters reconnected at this month’s Sydney WMG.
Ray Roseman claim of 5,000-meter world record was bogus
False alarm. Ray Roseman is in good shape. But his 5,000-meter record claim is bogus. David Cocksedge writes from Thailand: “Please scrub that 5000m time for Ray Roseman (18:11.4 on 18 October 2009). It was achieved on a treadmill. I was informed that the run took place at the national stadium in Bangkok, but it was in fact in the gymnasium there in the building complex. Though a good indication of Ray’s fitness, it cannot be accepted as a track performance. Research (as mentioned by Ceri Diss) has discovered that running on a treadmill can be as much as 14 seconds per mile quicker than running on a road or track surface.” (Here’s the research.) So there you go. Your M70 WR is safe, Ed. Nice knowing you, Ray.
Pacific Northwesterners jump aboard social network site
Scott Copeland, an M50 multi-eventer, has taken the plunge into social networking. No, he didn’t merely join Facebook or MySpace (or MyFace as my great aunt calls it). He launched a site of his own. Using Ning, a service that lets you create a mini Facebook, Scott has carved out a spot for masters tracksters in the Pacific Northwest to gather, exchange email, chat online, post photos, videos, etc. Its motto: “Every day you leave the track under your own power is a great day.” After I joined his site (click on Olympia Masters Track and Field), Scott posted this note on my page: “Welcome. My goal is to keep the Northwest connected. A couple of more local folks to add, though.” The site began in August and has grown to 30 members already, including world champ Martha Mendenhall. But it’s a great way for clubs, associations or regions to tighten bonds online. (And no Web expertise is required.) Even though I live near San Diego, I joined to see what his site looked like. Looks fine. Best of luck, Scott!
Sample of what you see once you’ve signed up for Scott’s social network.
How San Diego USATF protected ‘the integrity of the sport’
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USA Track & Field has this funny thing about freedom of movement. You can move your legs down the track, butt over a pit or body across the ring. But try to move your association status on your membership card and Katie bar the door! The story that follows is true, and I don’t even change the names. But a change in direction is called for — a new national policy to address inequities in how masters exercise their affiliation rights. It all began four months ago. In June, Rita Hanscom approached her local USATF association with a polite request: May I please transfer affiliation from San Diego-Imperial to the neighboring Southern California Association? The SDI Board of Directors barely batted an eye. They approved her move. In July, she competed at Oshkosh nationals as a proud member of the SCA-based Southern California Striders. In August, she won five gold medals at Lahti worlds. This month she was named WMA Masters Athlete of the Year. Nice catch for SCA! Fast forward to Oct. 21. Wearing my Lahti bronze “to prove I was an athlete,” I approached the SDI board with the same question. I also spoke on behalf of my wife, Chris, and Linn Dunton, a national-class W50 thrower who couldn’t attend the 7 p.m. meeting. After a half-hour discussion, the board voted 8-1 to reject our transfer requests. Why? The association needed to safeguard its interests and “protect the integrity of the sport,” said board member Tonie Campbell.
British ex-pat claims M70 world record for 5K in Thailand
What ever happened to Rayfel “Ray” Roseman? In the 1960s, he was one of the top milers in Britain. At age 30 in 1969, he ran a 3:59.8 at Motspur Park. Now comes word that Ray, a “tax exile” living in Thailand, ran a 5,000-meter track race in 18:11.4 in a Bangkok meet. This news comes from UK masters guru Pete Mulholland, who heard it from David Cocksedge in Thailand, another ex-pat. David wrote Pete: “Just how good is a 5000 metres time of 18:11.4 for a 70-year-old? Rayfel Roseman clocked this time in Bangkok last Sunday (18 October). Ray (who was born in Hounslow, West London on 19 May 1939) . . . has been resident in Thailand for over 15 years.” If 18:11 is accurate, it smashes the listed M70 world record of 18:33.38 by Canada’s Ed Whitlock at 2001 Brisbane worlds. Pete says record paperwork is forthcoming.
M50 champ Michael Waller back home from land of wallabies
Michael Waller has to add another room to his Washington State house to accommodate all his M50 sprint medals this season. A few days ago, he replied to my inquiries on his World Masters Games trip. Michael wrote: “Overall, it was a great experience. The organization was phenomenal. Things ran smoothly (I’m ex-military so hurry up and wait is no problem.) I was impressed how our credentials granted us free public transportation on bus, train and ferries. I met several people who had driven several hours just to see us compete.” Many of Michael’s races are posted on Geoff Bramley’s site, and tonight I noticed dozens more — including field events such as Bubba Sparks’ vault and a variety of other jumps.
Sally Luxton’s links: An Aussie comebacker views the WMG
Sally Luxton
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Sally Luxton, 38, was fifth in the 5K at the World Masters Games — one of those runners who made a serious comeback because of the meet in her back yard. She writes: “I haven’t raced on the track for 20 years and have never done a 5000, so it was a new experience for me and, yes, a satisfying one. After three races for the week, I am a bit tired, though. 10K is the max I race over and have only been back training for six months, but amazed at the passion I’m reliving again. I wonder what took me so long to get back to running! So as you can imagine — I’m now a big fan and promoter of masters athletics and running for everyone. I also have a website “ And she wrote a lot about the Sydney meet. Check out her archive.
Sally wrote about the older age groups at Sydney, such as the W80 sprints.
Marion Jones update: She’ll speak at Nov. 15 Brower meet
Marion Jones may be a lyin’ cheatin’ unrepentant ex-doper. But she has guts. Despite wide attention attracted by my posts here and on the Track & Field News message board, Marion still plans to speak at a youth clinic organized by masters friend Seth Brower, brother of our committee secretary Jeff Brower. Seth writes about his November 15 USATF/Lions 20th Relays at St. Michaels Academy in Austin, Texas: “Special notes for this meet. Marion Jones is confirmed and will give her ‘Take a Break’ message which is designed to help kids, coaches, parents, make the right choices by just stepping back and ‘taking a break’ when faced with a bad choice. She will speak from 9AM-9:45AM. There is no cost for this so please get the word out to as many kids/parents as you can.”
