Did Sylvie win silver? W75 Ah Kang poses with Lyon world medal
World Masters Athletics posted a link to a report on Africans winning medals at Lyon. One is mystifying. The African masters site shows W75 Sylvie Ah Kang of Mauritius standing alone, displaying a silver medal. But for what event? Lyon results show she was DQ’d in the 80-meter hurdles, didn’t qualify for the finals in the 100 and was seventh in the 8K cross country race. No relays either for Mauritius (an island nation in the Indian Ocean). So what gives? I’m looking into this. (German masters blogger Alfred Hermes also notes a legit M55 bronze in pole vault for a Tunisian gent.)
How did Sylvie rate podium? Maybe someone lent her medal after hurdles DQ.
Another claimaint to sub-5 mile streak forgets about Nolan Shaheed
Hope everyone had a great Christmas, especially Steve Spence, who ran his annual sub-5 mile a couple weeks ago — his 40th in a row. But as we learned over the summer, when another sub-5 streak was noted, Nolan Shaheed has a 50-year streak going. In Runner’s World, we hear from Scott Douglas that Steve’s 4:55 mile “looks a lot more impressive when you realize the person running it set his marathon personal best in 1990, is 53 years old, and has now run a sub-5:00 mile every year since 1976. … That is the singular claim of Steve Spence. Last Friday, he ran a mile time trial on the outdoor track of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, where he is the head cross country and assistant track coach. Paced by three of his athletes, Spence cruised through the first three laps right at 5:00 mile pace, then closed quickly to finish in 4:55.4. For the 40th consecutive year, he had run at least one sub-5:00 mile. Spence’s appears to be the longest such streak.” Well, guys, maybe not.
Now you can feel superior to kiddie nonathletes besides own demo
Bob Lida may be the recordman cited in cell study.
USATF Masters Hall of Fame 2015: Q&A with John Altendorf
John Altendorf has been a pole vault hero of mine for years — he provides so much record fodder. He’s the listed M65 outdoor WR man at 3.89 (12-9) and indoor WR holder at 3.86 meters (12-8). And he does it all in a fire-engine-red crash helmet. Gotta love it. At long last, he’s been recognized by the USATF Masters T&F Hall of Fame Committee. He joins such legendary vaulters as Nadine O’Connor, Jim Vernon, Leonore McDaniels and Boo Morcom. Now 69, John responded to my queries Dec. 11.
John soars to victory at 2010 Sacto masters nationals. Photo by Chris Stone
Dave Albo’s stunning photos of USATF Club XC Championships
Oldest-in-their-age-group winners Kathy Martin, 64, and Sonja Friend-Uhl, 44, chat after their race.
After a women’s race, legs and shoes show wear and tear in San Francisco.
USATF Masters Hall of Fame 2015: Q&A with George Mathews
I confess I’ve been a pain in George Mathews’ butt in the past, especially when he was national chairman of the USATF Masters T&F Committee before our current czar Gary Snyder. But I’ve always admired his dedication to putting on top-flight events and competing at a world-class level. He’s a hammer specialist. So I was delighted to see him gain Hall of Fame recognition. He responded to my queries and shared a photo from Lyon worlds, where he was M70 bronze winner in the weight throw.
George twirls at Lyon, where he won a bronze medal in weight throw.
USADA approved only 275 TUEs for all sports, all ages in 2014
I wrote USADA last week, asking if the doping cops had a count of how many masters tracksters have applied for TUEs — therapeutic use exemptions. Friday, a spokesman named Ryan Madden responded. He couldn’t give me a breakdown by sport or age group. But the report he references was revealing. It said that in 2014, only 275 people in all sports and age groups had been granted TUEs. I suspect masters track might account for no more than a few dozen. When you see the chart, note that “IF” stands for International Federation. “Those are cases in which an application for a TUE was received by USADA, but USADA did not have jurisdiction, so the application was then sent to the appropriate International Federation for processing, after which the IF reported their decision to USADA,” Ryan writes. Meanwhile, a friend wrote me about a key website for checking ingredients: supplement411.org.
USATF Masters Hall of Fame 2015: Q&A with Oscar Peyton
USATF doesn’t do justice to its Masters Hall of Famers — especially in recognizing new classes. Indy just releases the names. So last week I sent queries to the new HofFamers, and I’ll post their responses here. First up: Oscar Peyton, of Accokeek, Maryland, the hero of skinny sprinters everywhere. He replied Dec. 9.
Oscar wins the M60 100 in 12.08 at 2014 Wake Forest masters nationals.
Gabre Gabric dies at 101; starred in No. 1 masters documentary
Ljubica was her full first name.
Kay Glynn at 62 still the bee’s knees as a dancer, holiday poster girl
Click for Kay in all candy cane glory.
