Aussies holding outdoor nationals — five months before Lahti
So you think you have long track seasons? Be thankful you’re not South African or Australian. On Friday, the four-day Australian masters track championships started. (Here’s a link to the results site.) Â If they’ve been competing for four or five months already, they still have five to go before Lahti worlds. Aussies are competing at Santos Stadium in Adelaide, in south Australia. But like the Eurovets, the Aussies always show up for worlds, serious and in shape. Lemme know if you see an especially interesting marks Down Under.
Half-dozen masters vaulters soar at Santa Barbara relays
Victor Berezovskiy shares news (and this photo) of masters entrants at the Easter Relays April 5 at Santa Barbara City College. (Results are here.) Victor writes: Here is the picture of the master champions of Easter Relays in Santa Barbara 2009. (Left to right) are John Stringer, 64, who cleared 8 feet; Tom Woodring, 72, who cleared 9 feet; Mike Hogan, 54, cleared 12-3; Victor, 49, cleared 12-3; Steve Morris, 59, cleared 10-6; and Mike Morris, 67, cleared 10-6. Nice looking crew, Victor.
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Deadline nears for SISU 800 in Arizona, with money for top 3
Doug Thompson sends a reminder about the 2009 SISU Foundation 800 Meter Challenge race May 2 at Arizona State University. Doug writes: “We’ve registered a strong field, including at least three national/world champions (Horace Grant, Nolan Shaheed and Frank Condon), with a few others still thinking about it. . . . I encourage others to register, but we need to give ASU a final heat list a week before the race so that doesn’t leave much time for new entrants to register and pay. We are planning on dinner the night before for the participants, and can help with a place to stay for out-of-towners, if necessary. Our prize money is now set at $500 (first), $300 (second), and $150 (third), and we’re going to be using age-graded tables instead of All-American standards this year to determine the order of finish.”
Will Sparks fly over M55 American record? Good chance
Doug “Bubba” Sparks of Texas, the M55 national champ at Landover, is dealing with some hamstring issues, according to a nifty profile in his hometown paper near Houston. Yet he’s shooting for Dennis Phillips‘ M55 American outdoor record from 2001, which stands at 4.13 meters (13’6½”). How does Bubba know he can get his butt over 4.14? He says he’s done it in practice. His next major meet is the Drake Relays in a couple weeks. Hope his hammie is tanned, rested and ready.
Here’s Bubba, who trains at The Woodlands High School and helps coach vaulters.
India seems to subsidize its Lahti-bound masters tracksters
A newspaper in India reports: “Head Constable S. Durairaj . . . will represent the country in the World Masters Athletic Championship to be held at Finland in July. He took part in the National Masters Athletic Championship that was held at Haryana recently and won gold medals in 110 metres hurdles and 4×100 metres. Through these victories, Head Constable Durairaj was selected for the World Masters Athletic Championship. He had taken part in several international track and field events at Malaysia, Bangkok and Bangalore and won medals. Commissioner of Police A. Alexander Mohan appreciated the Head Constable and presented him a prize, a police press release said.” Of course, anyone can compete in Lahti — if they pay the entry fee and prove their age. But this report suggests that India is sending the guy to Finland. Do other nations subsidize their WMA world teams?
M50 Jim Chinn runs strong double at Cal State San Marcos
Jim Chinn in 2005
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Sprint Force America being left in the blocks by sponsor?
A year ago this month, we reported the milestone sponsorship deal between Ferring Pharmaceuticals and New York-based Sprint Force America. Among other things, the maker of Euflexxa, an injectable arthritis drug, promised to underwrite a couple dozen male sprinters at major meets and feature them in promotional materials. The upshot? Many got subsidies, but none appeared in national advertising. And it seems the deal is dead for 2009 — although nothing official has been said. Ferring hasn’t replied to my emails. In addition, Sprint Force leader Ed Gonera declines to answer my questions. Moreover, one team member wrote me: “Ed Gonera has asked us not to reply to your questionnaire for reasons not disclosed.” But some cooperated anyway.
Sprint Force America swept the M70 100 at 2008 Spokane nationals.
Cheryl Treworgy posts worthy photos of Landover nationals
USATF’s Web page devoted to photos from Landover nationals has been saying for two weeks that more shots are coming “soon” — beyond the six now posted as “highlights.” Wait no more! World-class track shooter Cheryl Treworgy has posted hundreds of photos on her own Web site. (Click here and scroll down to “2009 National Masters Indoor Championships March 20-22, 2009.”) She didn’t shoot every event, but she got around all three days. Here’s one of several shots she took of miler Henry Rono:
Is Henry really wearing road flats instead of track spikes?
W75 Suzi MacLeod claims American record for outdoor mile
As promised, several masters events were contested before the University of Oregon’s Pepsi Team Invitational on Saturday at Hayward Field. The highlight was W75 Suzi MacLeod staking claim to the American outdoor record in the mile, clocking 8:54.80. Despite the existence of W70 and W80 records, USATF lists no outdoor mile record for W75! The W75 American indoor record is 8:26.79 by Louise Adams in 1997. (The listed outdoor WR is 8:17.4 by Canada’s Hazel Cameron in 1999.) In 2004, Suzi was named W70 Female Masters Track Runner of the Year. At 75, she was poised to seize the record for her new age group. Her 8:54.80 at age 75 corresponds on the Age-Graded Tables to an open time of 5:07.03. Great effort, Suzi!
Here’s Suzi (left) with friend Madeline Bost at 1997 San Jose nationals .
Jeff Hongo wins masters mile at Johnny Mathis Invitational
Meet results for this weekend’s Johnny Mathis Invitational at San Francisco State University show M40 Jeff Hongo winning the masters mile in 4:47.99. Last year, Jeff was runner-up to Jeff Adkins in the same race. Several weeks ago, Jeff Hongo won his age group in San Francisco’s Across the Bay 12K.
