Millrose Games have featured masters for decades, we see
Although boomers invented sex, we didn’t launch masters track. We’re reminded of that as we await tonight’s Millrose Games, which will have masters relays, as usual. How usual? The 4×4 relays (at least for men) go back to 1980, according to Rich Rizzo, one of the pioneers. Here are two shots Rich sent from the early years of masters relaying. “In this first race in 1980, four teams went under 3:40,” Rich writes. “N.Y Masters 3:37.6 first; N.Y. Pioneers 3:37.7; Potomac Valley seniors 3:38.6; and Philadelphia Masters 3:39.3.” Below is the N.Y. Masters Sports Club team of (left to right, with 440 splits) Cliff Bertrand 54.3, Rich Rizzo 53.6, Lloyd Riddick 53.8 and Haig Bohigian 55.9.
![]()
Poll on qualifying standards: Should WMA/USATF have ’em?
This issue never dies. We’ve been debating it almost since the beginning of time (or this blog began). The latest explosion came in comments for this false start of a blog entry. (Here’s another lively discussion.) So let’s see what the silent majority thinks.
![]()
Heroes of Hartshorne share rabbit details, record ambitions
Jim Sorensen, Alisa Harvey and Nolan Shaheed — men’s and women’s elite winners at last weekend’s Hartshorne masters miles plus the age-graded champ — have replied to my quickie queries on their New York minutes. They expand on the issue of rabbits. Some helped and some couldn’t keep up the pace. But it’s all a credit to meet management for thinking of offering their services. All-masters races rarely get this privilege. Also, Alisa confides that she’ll be shooting for a W40 record in the indoor 3000 on Feb. 12 (not Sunday as I mistakenly said earlier) at the Naval Academy. The American record is 9:56.24 by Jody Hawkins, set at Boston in 2007. The listed W40 world record is outtasight: 9:02.83 by Russia’s Lyubov Kremlyova in 2002. Go Alisa!
![]()
Alastair Dunlop dashes M55 world indoor record in 1500
In this report from across the Pond, we learn: “Stornoway’s Alastair Dunlop set a world masters indoor age 55 record of 4min 24.39sec in the 1,500 metres at the Scottish closed championships at the Kelvin Hall on Saturday (Jan. 17).” Alastair’s time beats the listed WMA world indoor record of 4:26.7 by California’s Nolan Shaheed at Boston nationals two years ago. Alastair was the M50 world champ at 15 in the San Sebastian world meet in 2005, so this is no surprise. On the Age-Graded Tables, 4:24.39 corresponds to an Open (ages 20-30) equivalent of 3:36.30. Not too shabby. Special thanks get stromectol online to UK masters photographer Tom Phillips, whose tip on this record helps us convey the big picture.
![]()
Mary Roman adds W70 American record to her collection
Mary Roman, a W70 multi-eventer in Connecticut featured on this blog before, has another record. Competing at the 40th Dartmouth Relays three weeks ago in Hanover, N.H., Mary put the 3-kilogram shot 8.25 meters (27-1) to beat the listed American indoor record of 8.15 (26-9) by Colorado’s Christel Donley at Boston nationals in 2006. Mary also holds the W65 American record in the indoor shot and the W70 AR in the superweight throw. For giggles, she also sprints! (See Dartmouth results here.) Great profile of Mary in her local paper. Here’s a file photo that ran with the story:  Â
![]()
Qualifying standards for 2010 indoor worlds at Kamloops?
So Lahti worlds this summer is a little dear (as the Brits say)? Then c’mon up to Kamloops in 2010, as the Canadians might say. The Kamloops world indoor masters championships now has a website for your surfing pleasure. But one mystery pertains. On the Athletes page, we read: “Qualification for Entry. . . To be announced.” I’m betting that some clueless webmaster put that in to emulate some IAAF website. We all know, of course, that WMA has never had a qualifying standard or “qualification for entry” — except for being at least the minimum age and paying the entry fee. I suspect this reference will vanish as soon as it’s noticed by WMA. Heck, Kamloops wants as many entrants as possible — not a hurdle to entry. Otherwise, the site looks great and shows potential for answering all questions.
![]()
Hope for us: Think lizards if you want to be a stud at 111
Couldn’t resist this item, which I first saw on AOL: “A captive reptile in New Zealand has unexpectedly become a father at the ripe old age of 111 after receiving treatment for a cancer that made him hostile toward prospective mates.” We also learn: “While there’s no scientific data on the life span of the ancient reptiles, ‘they go beyond 100 well and truly. They can be around for 150 to 250 years.’ ” Nice! Now where do we get some lizard juice? On the other hand, maybe the key to longevity is more sleep.
![]()
Ontario masters are pacesetters: They pay meet directors!
Doug Smith, the Ontario masters track czar, says in his latest newsletter to members: “The Ontario Masters are looking for a candidate that we can groom as our track & field meet director. For now, the job would entail wrangling the appropriate officials and volunteers for the events, and supervising the actual meet. We are offering generous financial compensation. Please let me know if you might be interested in that position. The Indoor season is pretty well covered – so we’d be looking at the Outdoor Championship in June to get your feet wet.” Uhm, did you catch that key phrase? We are offering generous financial compensation. What a concept! The most thankless, onerous job in masters track — being remunerated in real cash money! So how are U.S. meet directors compensated? Seems that we could grow our sport faster by finding ways to grow some meet directors. Pay would help.
![]()
Al Sheahen’s ideas published on eve of historic inaugural
Al Sheahen was editor and publisher of National Masters News for many years and was an officer (and presidential candidate) in the World Association of Veteran Athletes about 10 years ago. But throughout his adult life, he’s been politically active in California — especially in promoting the idea of a guaranteed income for every American. It would help cure poverty, he says. On the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday yesterday, the Los Angeles Daily News published an essay by Al on the subject. Good job on keeping the faith, Al.
![]()
Just in time for indoor season: last year’s Boston videos
Derek Lau is last out of the blocks, but first in our hearts. This videographer in his mid-20s has begun to post videos from last year’s Boston indoor nationals. He writes: “I just launched the 60m Finals races online at our trackrunner blog. at trackrunnervideo.blogspot.com/ I hope everyone can take a few minutes to check out some great races and get pumped up for the 2009 indoor season! I will be uploading more races soon.” Indeed. Races shown on the site (which wisely include results for each clip) include Bill Collins and his standing start, Marty Krulee and his barreling finish, Pete Taylor’s announcing and much more. Every final in the 60 meters is shown, men and women. Nice job, Derek. We look forward to your additions.
![]()



