Updated July 21, 1998
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McDaniels Mows Down Records in Southeast Meet
Leonore McDaniels is on a world record tear
in her 70th year. In early May, she became the oldest woman to clear 4 feet
in the high jump, doing just that height at a meet in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Then on June 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, she upped her WR in the pole vault to
2.04m (6-8 1/4) and became the first woman over 70 to record a time in the
300-meter low hurdles (1:27.12). All this was at the
USATF Southeast Regional Masters Championships at the Emory University
track. The wise and wonderful Bruce Morrison reported the results
and took
some other photos at the Southeast USATF meet.
Houston Elite TC Handles 4x200 Record
The Houston Elite Track Club set a world M50-59 record in the little-run 4x200 relay on June 26, 1998, at an open meet at Rice University, reports Jim McLatchie. The team of Lee Smith (25.8), Randy Smith (23.7), John Hartfield (24.4) and Robert Mitchell (25.1) combined for an automatic time of 1:39.00 to break the old record of 1:40.33 by a U.S. team of Russin, Kopka, Pierce and Stevens on August 3, 1995, in Northampton, Massachusetts. Houston Elite ran against a 40+ team of Russell Austin, T.J. Lester, Jimmy Jones and Bill Collins, which clocked a 1:39.27 -- 10 seconds off that age group's record. In the flat 200, Collins (age 47, I think) ran a great 23.25. And in the M60 mile, Ino Cantu did a superb 5:26.26, McLatchie says.
Petranoff back in the States and Record Books
Olympian
and former WR holder in the javelin Tom Petranoff threw 241-9 (73.67)
on June 27, 1998, to set an age-40 American record in the javelin -- just
a foot off the M40 age-group best of 242-9 by Larry Stuart in 1979
(with the old-style jav). The M40 world record is 258-8 by Jorma Markus
of Finland in 1994. USATF exec Steve Vaitones writes: "This was the
first meet in five years for ... Petranoff, now 40 and prepping for the US
National Masters Champs." Tom made the mark at Northeastern University in
Dedham, Massachusetts. Petranoff and family moved back to America recently
after years in South Africa and is in business with his
TurboJav trainer.First word of Tom's
terrific toss came from
Deca guru Dave Tolson, reporting results from the New England USATF
Championships, held in cool and wet conditions. Welcome back, Tom!
Douglas Scorches Mile at Canadian All-Comers
She took 10th place, nearly 1 1/2 minutes behind the male winner. But Avril
Douglas of the Kajaks Track
and Field Club (Richmond) was the star of the mixed-age mile at Meet
No. 4 of the Hershey Harriers BC Summer Track
Series on June 30, 1998, in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Douglas -- no stranger to records -- clocked a wonderful 5:43.0 at age 52
for a Canadian W50 record, reports George
Muenz. That time is only 5 seconds off the age-52 world best of 5:38.52
set indoors by Chris Stockdale of Great Britain in 1997. Muenz also
has posted Hershey
meet results listing masters in the mix.
Fosbury will Jump at Masters Nationals
Call him Richard Fosbury. Call him a
legend. And now we can call him a masters athlete. The creator of the backward
layout high jump told our spies at a
USATF meet fete that
he's set for launch at the masters nationals in Maine. That's 30 years after
he struck gold at another "M" meet: Mexico City. Also enjoy ESPN's
Fosbury interview, conducted before the Atlanta Olympics. But don't blink
at Orono. There's a chance another 1968 Olympian may show up. Name is Oerter.
Neville Hodge Is WR Threat at Orono
Three-time Olympian (for the Virgin Islands) Neville Hodge, 42, ran the 100-meter dash in 11.10 at the mid-June Holmdel Invitational in New Jersey. (Wind was a legal 0.6 mps.) That's only a few ticks off the listed masters record of 10.87 by U.S. Olympian Eddie Hart at the Eugene world WAVA meet in 1989. But Hodge, born December 8, 1955, reportedly ran 10.86 last year and an astounding 10.44 in Albany, New York, in 1996, when he was 40. We'll check these out. Best of all, Coach Hodge plans to compete at the national masters meet in Orono, our sources say.Stay tuned.
Barbados to Host WAVA Regional Meet in November
The Web site is rudimentary. But it looks as if the Stadia World Veterans Athletics Championships in the eastern Caribbean island of Barbado has its act together. The meet is November 19-22, 1998, at the National Stadium there. So the local press -- which is in English -- should cover it. Don't worry about hirricanes, though. One hasn't hit since 1955, one site says.Also keep an eye out for information on the Asia Pacific Masters Games October 31-November 8, 1998, on Australia's Gold Coast.
Brisbane Gears Up for WAVA World Meet in 2001
Gateshead doesn't appear to have a Web site up yet for the 1999 World Veterans Athletic Championships, but the folks Down Under already have the upper hand on a preliminary page for events at the 2001 meet. Anyone seen a Gateshead page?
Slaney Shatters Age-39 5000 Record
Well, she's back. Her 1997 doping-accusation nightmare behind her, Mary Slaney toasted the retirement of her Oregon mentor Bill Dellinger and Oregon's Hayward Field track as well on a cold and wet May 15. She ran the 5000 in 15:27.12 -- the fastest by an American up to that point in the season (and worth 14:50 as an "open" mark). Of course, it's a world age-39 record, smashing Norwegian Kirsten Hausken's 16:23.26 from 1987 by almost a minute. The Associated Press quoted Slaney as saying: "I felt like I never really got warm. I think I'm capable of running a lot faster." The W35 age-group record remains 15:11.38 by Lynn Jennings in 1995. Slaney turns 40 on August 4, 1998 -- just in time for her masters debut at the Nike World Masters Games in Eugene. The NWMG may see the return to competition of Olympic legends Dick Fosbury, John Thomas, Willie Davenport, Mac Wilkins and others. At least these folks are scheduled to give technique clinics there. Stay tuned.
Murphy vs. Jordan Highlights Penn Relays
Tens of thousands of Franklin Field track fans witnessed a titanic battle of masters speedsters April 25, 1998, as summarized in chart below. Judging from TV coverage of the Penn Relays, the wind was probably above the legal limit. But the times are still stupendous. Tim Murphy's 14.40 is worth 10.38 on the age-graded tables. But Payton Jordan's 14.52 is equivalent to an astounding 9.83 -- a tick better than the open WR! The Penn Relays has to be the masters-friendliest open track meet in the nation, with nine over-40 events (among its 312). But what it lacked in quantity was made up in quality. Penn traditionally produces some of the fastest masters relay times in the world each year.
| Pl. | Time | Athletes | City, State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.40 | Tim Murphy (76) | Irving, Texas |
| 2 | 14.52 | Payton Jordan (81) | Los Altos, Calif. |
| 3 | 14.68 | Milt Silverstein (78) | Tucson, Ariz. |
| 4 | 15.04 | Blair McFarland (75) | Leesburg, Fla. |
| 5 | 15.26 | Jim Manno (77) | Oradell, N.J. |
| 6 | 15.62 | Les Wright Sr. (76) | Long Branch, N.J. |
| 7 | 17.16 | John McCarthy (76) | Waymart, Pa. |
| 8 | 18.81 | Bob Gamberg (73) | Elkins Park, Pa. |
Grok on Great Penn Relays Performances
The Central Park TC's winning time in the M40 4x100 relay is worth about 40.4 (based on the age-graded factor for the M45 400m). The Central Park TC did even better in the M50 4x100 relay, with a clocking (based on M55 factor) equivalent to 40.1! Ben James, 41, of Team United won the M40-49 100m dash. in a time worth 10.86. But Charles Allie, 50, of the Nadia TC ran a time worth 10.44 in the M50-59 100. Not too shabby either was Larry Colbert, 61, of the Potomac Valley TC, who ran a time worth 10.85 in the M60 100m dash. Only one masters women's dash was contested. But it, too, was a smoker, with Cindy Steenbergen, 44, of the always-tough Dallas Masters TC taking the women's 100 in a time worth 11.93. Phil (the Legend) Raschker, 51, was fourth in that race. The Maryland Masters, averaging impressive legs of 51.89, took the M40 4x400 relay in a time worth about 3:10 in the open 4x4 -- and only two seconds off the listed American record. Finally, the Boston Running Club foursome averaged legs of 55.52 to win the M50 4x400 relay at Penn. Their time was equivalent to about 3:08. Would that the nationals produced such steller relay marks. (And would that WAVA concoct age-graded factors for the relays as well!)
(But Don't Forget About Drake and Mt. SAC)
Masters ran crazy at Drake Relays as well. On Friday, April 24, Dan Futrell , 41, of Missouri broke Ken Popejoy's meet record in the masters 800m by almost a full second, reports Rick Easley , 44, of Texas, a multi-event star who took fourth in Des Moines. Ages of the Drake masters weren't given (but they're all 40-plus). At Walnut, Calif., on Sunday, April 19, submaster wonder Johnny Gray ran a ho-hum 1:46.15 to win the open 800 there, almost two seconds slower than his age-37 best of last year (but still five seconds better than the listed age-37 record). Stan Whitley of California won a mixed-age masters 100 at Mt. SAC that he organized. But the results misspell names and stuff. Mary Libal of Oregon defended her women's age-handicap 100 title at Mt. SAC. But Kathy Bergen looked a lot closer than that, and was picked as winner by some observers. A women's 800 handicap race also was held, and a masters men's 200 was contested. But the Mt. SAC results are screwy, since the men's 200 winner was actually Dray Hargrave, who the site says was last! But on May 18, race organizer and particpant Stan Whitley sent these results:
100 meters 1st place-- Stan Whitley 52, 12.06 2nd place-- Harold Tolson 60, 12.31 3rd place-- Frank Little 54, 12.33 4th place-- Dick Richards 63, 12.45 5th place-- Glen Johnson 48, 12.48 6th place-- Kenny Dennis 62, 12.69 7th place-- Dale Herring 52, 13.08 8th place-- Frank Hollier 61, 13.23 9th place-- Dan Garling 53, 18.59 200 meters 1st place-- Dray Hargrave 40, 22.88 2nd place-- Eugene Driver 47, 23.89 3rd place-- Jim Bonnila 42, 24.02 4th place-- Johnny Williams 46, 24.63 5th place-- Steve Cummings 42, 25.12 6th place-- Robert Richardson 45, 25.13 7th place-- Tom Bias 42, 25.46 8th place-- Al Cain 47, 25.62 (Dray's time is worth an open 21.7, but Eugene's is worth 21.58!)
Here are the Drake results (Drake University's SID Mike Mahon graciously provided the ages on these masters runners):
Masters Men's 800 Meter Run Finals
1 Dan Futrell, 41; Black Jack 1:55.65 * 2 Michael McDowell, 41; Moline 1:57.60 3 Jean-Gelan Ruleau, 40; Elk Grove Village 2:02.48 4 Rick Easley, 44; Greenville, 2:03.79 5 Jay O'Neill, 43; Winchester 2:04.53 6 Bob Prince, 43; Sioux City 2:05.54 7 Gary Scholten, 40; Des Moines 2:10.00 8 David Miller, 46; Urbandale 2:10.26 9 Craig Dahlquist, 42; Peoria 2:11.09 10 Joe Lambert, 42; Decorah 2:11.15 11 Mike Davis, 40; Danville 2:11.73 12 John Anderson, 40; Slater 2:13.69 13 Roger Lay, 40; Des Moines 2:16.37 14 Shawn Regan, 48; Minneapolis 2:16.77 15 Paul Brees, 40; Urbandale 2:17.67 16 Mike Fitzpatrick, 40; Janesville 2:18.62 17 Greg Carlberg, 49; Omaha 2:18.92 (No ages on the rest, sorry) 18 John Shorey; Council Bluffs 2:19.06 19 Paul Carter; Dawson 2:21.29 20 David Kessler; Dubuque 2:21.41 21 Dan Rohner; Dubuque 2:24.41 22 Vaughn Eddy; Bettendorf 2:26.85 23 Roger Tapps; Coon Rapids 2:27.29 24 Jan Fletcher; Earlham 2:27.91 25 Dennis Stevenson; Ankeny 2:28.81 26 Terry Cornelius; Blue Springs 2:31.97 27 Gregg Wahlstrom; Apple Valley 2:38.26
Mack Stewart Takes Knife To 800m Records
Funny thing happens when we graduate to older age groups. We get faster. Latest evidence of this rejuvenating phenomenon is Mack Sewart of Houston, Texas, who on April 5 broke the American M60 800m record, reports Jim McLatchie on the T-and-F List. Jim writes: "Mack Stewart . . . competing in the Senior Olympics T&F championships held at Rice University this morning broke the USA 800M mark for 60-year-olds with a FAT of 2:13.33 (old record Jim Sutton 2:13.98 - 1991). Stewart's splits were 31.6/65.7/98.7. This is his second USA record in seven days. Last week he broke the indoor record in Boston." Stewart is listed as having run 2:18.19 as a 59-year-old last year. Now he's a good bet to shatter the venerable M60 WR of 2:12.62 by the legendary Derek Turnbull of New Zealand on 7-21-89. Go Mack! Stick it!
Johnny Gray Shoots for Sydney at Age 40
Speaking of the 800m, evergreen Johnny Gray hopes to make a fifth Olympic team, reports Keith Conning in the April/May issue of California Track & Running News. "He'll turn 40 on June 19, 2000, a month prior to the July 14-23 Trials in Sacramento. He ran 1:48.03, his fastest-ever opener, at the Commonwealth Invitational." The same issue -- which now is mailed free to all USATF members in California (hooray!) -- profiles M40 sprinter Kevin Morning, who won the WAVA gold in 200m with a 22.15 and says he seeks the WR in the masters 200 (21.86).
German Vet Women's Records Now Online
German masters webmaster and middle-distance star Annette Koop has posted women's records for Germany in age groups from W35 to W70. Earlier, she reported how German athletes 35 and over ranked in that country's top-50 elite list for 1997. (I've fixed the link to that page now.) Hundreds of men and women in these masters and submasters groups are listed -- showing that German athletes aren't retiring at 30. Such a list should be prepared for America and other nations as well.
Runner's World On-Air Covers Masters
If you live within air-shot of Prime Sports Radio, check out RWOA, produced and hosted by Steve Sievert. Steve writes: "Show airs Sundays at 7:34 a.m. and 12:34 p.m., EST on 85 Prime Sports Radio affiliates." In one recent edition, he interviewed Steve Scott, still shooting for a sub-4 as an M40 miler (but not taking Tom Byers seriously as a rival for the masters mile crown). Also check out the Masters Forum tied to the Runner's World site, devoted mainly to distance running.
1998 Boston Indoor Nationals Results
Here is a list of records -- American and world -- set at the March 27-29 USATF National Masters Indoor Championships in Boston, a meet directed by the Steve Vaitones-led USATF New England association. The event attracted a record 817 entrants, surpassing the 775 of 1997. Entrants were from 46 states as well as from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Great Britain, Israel. Officials came from eight states. Next year's meet is to be directed by TRACS, which managed the 1997 meet, Vaitones says. Boston results also are online at the USATF Web site in case my file in undownloadable.
RECORDS SET AT BOSTON
US 13 Women's, 25 Men's
WORLD 10 Women's, 15 Men's
-
WOMEN Event Age Performance Amer World Name 200 W70 35.58 US WORLD Pat Peterson (NY) 71 400 W50 1:12.51 US Natine Lowenstein (NY) 52 W70 1:28.79 US WORLD Pat Peterson (NY) 71 800 W65 2:56.63 WORLD Jean Horne (CANADA) 65 3000 W35 9:34.08 US Leslie Lehane (MA) 35 W45 10:43.72 US Kathryn Martin (NY) 46 HighJump W70 1.15m US WORLD Lenore McDaniels (VA) 70 LongJump W70 3.40m US WORLD Lenore McDaniels (VA) 70 PoleVault W70 1.68m US WORLD Lenore McDaniels (VA) 70 W55 2.44m US WORLD Joy MacDonald (FL) 57 TripleJumpW70 6.80m US WORLD Lenore McDaniels (VA) 70 W60 8.07m US WORLD Audrey Lary (MD) 63 Shot Put W80 5.75m US WORLD Katherine Gradick (FL) 80 Super Wt W60 6.68m US Evelyn Wright (MD) 61 MEN 60 M85 11.10 US WORLD Bert Morrow (CA) 85 M60 7.85 US WORLD Harold Tolson (CA) 60 Existing rec M60 7.75 US WORLD Harold Tolson (CA) 60 is hand time M50 TIE 7.40 US Stan Whitley (CA) 52 60Hurdles M85 15.13 US WORLD Bert Morrow (CA) 85 M75 11.05 US WORLD Ed Lukens (NY) 76 M70 10.34 US WORLD Melvin Larsen (IL) 73 200 M85 39.14 US WORLD Bert Morrow (CA) 85 M60 25.10 US WORLD Larry Colbert (MD) 61 400 M80 1:23.61 US Bob Matteson (VT) 81 M50 52.87 US Charles Allie (PA) 50 800 M60 2:16.87 US "Mack" Stewart (TX) 60 Mile M60 5:13.38 US WORLD Henry Hawk (AR) 61 M50 4:37.57 US WORLD Albin Swenson (CT) 51 3000 M65 10:50.40 US Paul Heitzman (KS) 67 High Jump M85 TIE 1.00m US WORLD Bob Boal (NC) 86 M45 1.86m US Walden Curry (LA) 45 Long Jump M75 4.30m US WORLD Ed Lukens (NY) 76 Pole VaultM60 3.91m US WORLD Dale Lance (OK) 60 M50 4.27m US WORLD Larry McIntyre (TX) 50 Shot Put M60 15.77m US Joe Keshmiri (NV) 60 M50 TIE15.80m US WORLD Ladislav Pataki (CA) 53 WEIGHT M80 8.56m US Tom McDermott (FL) 80 SUPER WT M70 10.01m US Ken Weinbel (WA) 70 M45 10.73 US Tim Edwards (CO) 49
WAVA President's E-Mail Address Public At Last
WAVA doesn't yet have a Web site, but it gets e-mail. At least the president does. Torsten Carlius, elected as WAVA's leader last year in Durban, South Africa, is at torsten.carlius@helsingborg.se in Sweden. He wrote me in mid-March: "Many thanks for your E-mail and congratulations. Unfortunately, I have not been at home the last days and am just now here for a couple of hours before I leave for Kobe and our WAVA World Road Championships. I . . . have no objections that you use my E-mail on your Web site -- on the contrary. . . . Today I can only say that I appreciate any promotion of our veterans athletics and am grateful to you for any support. My attitude is to be as open as possible to everybody." This is a very good start. Let him know that you appreciate his attitude -- and join my appeal for a WAVA Web site!
Steve Robbins Smashes WR in 200m
We've just learned that Steve Robbins, the world-class sprinter from California, has added another gem to his crown: a WR M55 24.09 indoor 200m at the Silver State Indoor Masters Classic on February 15, 1998, in Reno, Nevada! He crushed the old record of 24.7 set by the legendary Ron Taylor of Britain in March 1990. Steve's amazing time is equivalent to 20.55 for open class, according to Jess Brewer's age-graded converter. A former USATF Masters Athlete of the Year, Steve also ran the 60m dash at Reno in 7.60 -- just missing the M55 WR of 7.53 by Hugo Hartenstein of USA in March 1990 .
Free entry to Nike World Masters Games
So you don't plan to shell out $200 to enter the Naked Greed Games in Oregon this summer? But you kinda wish you could go? Well, check this out: Members of the Kaiser Permanente HMO, a sponsor, have a chance at having their registration fee comped for the 1998 Nike World Masters Games. The catch? You have to write an essay 200-400 words long. In addition, the two best essayists will get free air fare to the meet, which is in mid-August at the legendary Hayward Field track at Univ. of Oregon. Such a deal. Deadline is March 31, so get on it. However, our earlier posting on an April discount was in error. Tom Jordan wrote to the T-and-F Mailing List: "In our posting of 3-15 regarding the NIKE World Masters Games, we jumped the gun on the matter of a $40 discount off the entry price for registrations during the month of April. After consultation with a number of sports in the Games (25 total), it was determined that offering the discount would create a very large problem with the numbers of athletes who have already entered the Games, and who would not be receiving the discount. So as a fairness issue, the entry fee will remain $200 for every athlete, regardless of the date of entry. Our apologies for posting incorrect information." (Note: The NWMG meet schedule is now online.)
Pole Vault Dynasty Predicted for DiMarco
Bubba Sparks is reporting that world-class vaulter Sue DiMarco of Southern California has turned 35 and will immediately begin smashing records. Bubba writes: "She consistently jumps between 11-6 and 12 (with a PR of 12-2 3/4), and the WR is only 3.13m and the AR is an embarrassing 2.52m. It will be my mission to watch and assist her in eclipsing every vault record ever set until the day she dies at 130 years old." Sue was among the top 35 vaulters in the world last year, when she went 3.60 (11-9.75) at Cal State Long Beach in June. In 1996, she took 11th in the Olympic Trials at 3.50 (11-5.75).
Add New Jersey to States with Masters Sites
Just discovered a site for North New Jeresey Masters, webmastered by Dave Rayner. Dave has some pretty advanced HTML skills and the site is a blast, with animations and lots of information. The site's Mission Statement: "North Jersey Masters is dedicated to the improvement of the individual road and track runner by providing professional coaching within a supportive club environment. Masters (40+) and younger runners, male and female, fast and beginner runners are encouraged to join and participate. By running in groups with others of similar speed and by learning training techniques through shared experience, members dramatically improve and reach their potential. We race ourselves, other members, other teams or just run for pleasure. Welcome to our club!" Now where's the South Jersey site?
Willie Davenport Ready to Hurdle the Years
He turns 55 in June. Great timing for a five-time Olympian (once as a bobsledder) and 1968 gold medalist in the high hurdles. The National Guard's Willie Davenport is reported to be ready to settle into the blocks at the Nike World Masters Games in August. With Leon Coleman having competed at the Boston indoor nationals, all we need is Tom Hill to make a comeback.(Kind of like a Beatles reunion, with Rod Milburn playing the part of John Lennon.) Guy Drut, where are you? Stay tuned.
British Columbia Championships Open to All
Grant Lamothe graciously writes: "Tell all your track friends in cyberland that the British Columbia Masters Track and Field championships will be held in Langley B.C. (my dear little hometown) on June 20-21, 1998. All masters, regardless of their nationality, are invited. If anyone's interested in competing, they can e-mail me at hitech@axionet.com for more details. Hope to see some of you all there!"
M55 Heckler Threatens WR in Indoor 3000
Mike Prizy of USATF Illinois Media graciously reported on March 9: "Vic Heckler, 55, of Chicago smashed the American age-group record in the 3000-meter run at Saturday's USATF Illinois Open State Championships held at Lewis University in Romeoville, clocking 9:33.25 -- almost 20 seconds faster than the previous best. Heckler, competing in the 55-59 age division, holds numerous state and national marks. The previous American record for the indoor 3000 was 9:51.8 held by Howard Rubin of New York set March 10, 1984. Heckler ran against several collegiate runners and placed fifth in the 3000 won by Lewis University's David O'Carroll in a time of 9:02.32.For those not up on metric distances, the 3000-meter run is about 220 yards short of two miles. Heckler's 9:33.25 converts to about a 10:10 two-mile run, which would be a good two-mile time for a high school runner about 40 years younger than Heckler." The listed world indoor M55 record for 3000m is 9:23.43 by Britain's Stephen James in 1994. Heckler, BTW, ran 4:25.49 last August to take second place (but first as an American) in the M50 1500 at the San Jose nationals. (First was 50-year-old Hector Chavez of Mexico in 4:22.74.) Prizy also notes that the USATF Masters Indoor State Champoionships will be March 15 at Sterling, Illinois. For more information, contact USATF Illinois at 630-953-2052.
Multi-event Star Rex Harvey Battling Back
Decathlon star and USATF officer Rex Harvey of Ohio, recently had a spinal operation and is recovering from a bout with spinal meningitis, a very serious disease. Rex, in his early 50s, holds several world single-age records for the deca. Rex tells me (April 3) that he's off the antibiotics now with no relapse yet, "so I must be cured! But I am taking it easy to heal as quickly and completely as possible." Send Rex a note wishing him a speedy recovery.
Sparks Shares Witty Durban Diary
Among the 310-plus USA athletes at the WAVA meet, Doug Sparks of Southern California may have been a lesser light. But he shines with his hilarious and harrowing diary of the days leading up to Durban as well as the event itself. He took third in the M40 pole vault despite incredible odds: injury, lost poles and the lost mind of one rival. Doug (aka Bubba) also has his own WAVA story site as well as his memories of the Atlanta Olympics, which he attended as a trainer and fan.
Tom Petranoff Plans Masters Plunge
We're not all former Olympians. But when a former
world-class athlete joins the masters ranks, it's worth celebrating. It's
a credit to the athlete as well, because it shows he or she isn't afraid
of age. Isn't afraid of competing at less than elite levels. The latest vet
to plan a masters comeback is Tom Petranoff, who was living in South
Africa with his family at the time of the Durban WAVA meet. Our friend Len
Olson, a masters weightman, writes: "Just received a letter from Tom
Petranoff (former world record holder in javelin) that I met last year while
in Durban, SA. He, wife and three kids have packed up and moved from the
Johannesburg home to Cranston, Rhode Island. "Things were getting too dangerous
in South Africa and we are very, very happy that we made the move."He has
started training and intends to throw in the Masters program this season!
He also has a Sports Development
Products company (his livelihood) that he is pushing, wants to get down
to Florida and maybe put on a clinic or two." All the best to Tom. We'll
be looking for more details.
Amazing Everett Hosack Story Is Here
Lest one think that the older ages are never represented on these pages, we submit for the story of Everett Hosack, an M95 multi-event star from the United States. This is an article previously posted online after the March 1997 indoor nationals in Boston.
Multi-event star Milo
Lightfoot dies at age 83
Sad news arrives. Only a day after competing in five events, M80m star and national champion Milo Lightfoot died of still-unreported causes. He was a lawyer in Warsaw, Indiana. Lightfoot went to that big track meet in the sky Jan. 25, the day after winning the shot put, pole vault, high jump, 200m and a middle-distance race in his age group at an indoor masters meet at Lincoln Way High School, reports our Illinois friend Gerry Krainik. Milo looked a little stronger at a Jan. 11 meet in Oak Park, Illinois, Gerry reports. Milo told an interviewer last year, when he won his usual fistful of medals at the San Jose nationals: "I'm not the oldest runner. I knew one -- he's gone now, he dropped dead on the track -- who was 95. He didn't run as fast as I do, but I won't either, when I'm 95." Milo also brought home hardware from several world WAVA championships in his 20-year masters track career and helped push Payton Jordan to his 200m WR in San Jose.
Arizona Masters Have Hot New Site
Three states down, 47 to go. Clay Hull has unveiled the The Arizona Masters Track and Field Page, featuring schedules and results in the state where track is hot.He writes on his site: "I have been frustrated by the lack of coverage the local newspapers give the sport and the minimal reporting done by USATF. I am not blaming anyone since I believe the positions are all volunteer, but on the other hand I would like to have information on what goes on in the Master's events statewide so I could see where I stand in comparison. This web page is a feeble attempt to make schedules, meet results and training tips available, free, to anyone who had access to a computor." It's a great start. Check it out.
A Dick Fosbury Comeback in the Cards?
His backward layout from a semicircular
approach electrified the Mexico City Olympics. Now Dick Fosbury of
Ketchum, Idaho, is reported to be planning another shocker: a masters comeback
in his 50s. National Masters News reports he may show up in Oregon
(where he grew up) for the World Masters Games this summer. We'll be looking
for more details and early results on the gold medalist's return to the high
jump wars. Meanwhile, check out
this Fosbury profile from People Online. ESPN also still has its
Fosbury interview, conducted before the Atlanta Olympics.
Masters Movement E-Mail List Being Built
Hurdle star Courtland Gray of the Dallas Masters Track Club has written to National Masters News calling for an end to communication barriers. His idea for an e-mail directory of masters athletes should be supported. Check out his letter to the editor. Then send him your name and e-mail address.
Our Little Secret: The Flaws of Age-Grading
What happens when you set a record and your age-graded rating isn't 100 percent? How come many current WRs for the older ages are far under the promised 100 percent on the age-graded percentage charts? Gerry Krainik poses such questions in his critique of the Age-Graded Tables, using 200m and 400m world age records as fodder. The tables, designed by committee, are far from mathematical perfection, and GK has exposed some of their weaknesses. Gerry also has reproduced a Jan. 11, 1998, letter from Al Sheahen of National Masters News in an Age Table Defense. Al admits the tables need updating, though.
European Vets Meet to be Summer Highlight
This being an even-numbered year, a WAVA world championships won't be held this summer. The next best meet likely will be the European Veterans Championships, taking place September 11-19, 1998, in Cesenatico, Italy. Entries must be submitted by national federations by June 15, 1998, addressed to: Organizing Committee: CRER FIDAL - Via Nazario Sauro, 21 - 40121 BOLOGNA (ITALY), according to Dr. Maria Luisa Moriconi of the Istituto di Fisica dell'Atmosfera.
Oceania Veteran Games Results Online
This New Zealand meet drew athletes from 15 nations Jan. 17-24 to Hastings, Hawkes Bay. That nation was a pioneer in masters running a generation ago. Its Web site is a leader as well in veterans track. The site of the ninth Oceania Veteran Games is modest in design but a far sight better in execution than the late, unlamented WAVA World Championships site in Durban, South Africa. The WAVA site promised the world but didn't live up to international expectations. It had to shut down for lack of financing. It's now shut down (lacking The Oceania site shares highlights of the meet and also offers athlete profiles (some with photos), including ones on Derek Turnbull, the "fastest old man in the world" a.k.a "the wonder from down under." Derek is 70 and holds 16 world age-group records. Among them: 5:04 in 1500 at age 70 and a 4:56 mile at age 65. He's been running for 58 years. Also profiled is Margaret Orman, 53, who runs the 800m now in about the same time she ran at age 17: 2:26. She's won medals in 5 WAVA world meets. The meet schedule listed all events as sponsored by local and regional businesses. For example:
APPLE INN 2,000M STEEPLECHASE
CAT & FIDDLE ALEHOUSE 400M
FUJI XEROX JAVELIN
HILLARY COMMISSION HIGH JUMP
KARAMU AUTO COURT HAMMER
Hey, if that's what it takes to keep costs down and a Web site up, all power to them! The site is a model of efficiency, employing frames with the frames turned off. Don McLeod and Jim Tobin (fax ++ 64 684 5072) deserve our appreciation for bringing vets track up to date. Unfortunately, 105-year-old sprinter Joginder Singh was a no-show as was the entire Indian contingent (despite paying their entry fees), Don says.
Mt. SAC Relays to Feature Legends Races
The Mt. SAC meet in Southern California will include a series of "Legends" races for masters who were world-class in their youth. Meet director Scott Davis plans a men's 100 and 200 and a women's 100 and 800 on Sunday, April 19. John Cosgrove of the USATF Southern California Association is helping organize these four races. John is looking to fill the fields with legends of T&F who are over 40. They needn't have been 100 or 800 specialists in their youth. Among the expected entrants are Greg Foster and a former miler named Craig Masback. By showcasing masters athletes in an elite setting, Mt. SAC will give masters track a boost as well as attract more fan interest in T&F in general. Last year, John organized a masters women's handicapped 100m race, won by Mary Libal, the 47-year-old Oregon phenom and age-group recordholder. Stan Whitley won a scratch 100m masters race as well at Mt. SAC. The Legends races at Mt. SAC are invitational, but don't be shy about suggesting yourself or your friends or athletes.
1997 San Jose nationals results
Some folks report being unable to download this huge file. Try Netscape Navigator if that's the case. If you still can't view the file, let the ol' masters webmaster know, and I'll e-mail the events you need.
Aussie Vets Busy Down Under
Track season never ends. It's midseason in the Southern Hemisphere, where webmaster Doug Fry reports results from a recent Canberra multi-day meet. Performances also can be viewed at this text site, Doug notes.
AOL Restores Masters Message Board
Wired athletes who subscribe to America Online can again post messages to a masters-specific message board, thanks to a united shove from friends of the webmaster. AOL spiked a 2-year-old folder of masters posts in its T&F Message Area in fall 1997 as part of a housecleaning of the subject folders. Originally, the powers-that-be resisted restoring the Masters Folder. But after a small spam attack of articulate masters athletes, it returned Dec. 12, 1997. If you're on AOL, go to the SPORTS channel (or keyword: SPORTS), then hit GRANDSTAND, then Track & Field Messages, and then the MASTERS folder. See ya there!
Raschker, Collins Named Top U.S. Athletes
Georgia's Phil Raschker, coming off her incredible debut season as W50, was named the USATF Masters Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year at the December convention in Dallas. She also was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame. The USATF Masters Committee also named Texas sprinter Bill Collins as Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year (even though Payton Jordan deserved it for his awesome records at USATF Nationals). Top performance awards went to W55 Vanessa Hilliard for her hammer throw of 155-6 and M40 Glen Conley for his milestone 7-0 5/8 high jump at the Empire State Games. Conley's kudos are significant in that his mark came in open -- not masters -- competition. In the past, that might have disqualified him from consideration for honors. (However, California's Ruth Wysocki would have been a much better choice for W40 athlete of the year instead of Denise Foreman based on Ruth's stellar distance rabbiting on her European and Asian tours. Ruth was too busy setting record paces to earn brownie points at masters meets.) Also at Dallas, M40 Stan Vegar was named Outstanding Male Multi-Event Athlete and Raschker was outstanding female in that class. Donald Austin was named Administrator of the Year. The year's top athletes by age group also were named (by a committee and process I'm not familiar with). The honorees (who receive their awards at the Maine nationals in July):
Men's Athlete of the Year Awards
TRACK
Art Anderson, 30; Jeff Lindsey, Anselm Lebourne, 35; Kevin Manning, 40; Bill
Collins, 45; Harold Nolan, 50; Emil Pawlik, 55; Larry Colbert, 60; James
Stookey, 65; Rodney Brown, 70; Tim Murphy, 75; Payton Jordan, 80; Tony Castro,
85.
FIELD
Ken Hall, 30; Jason Bender, 35, Bill Halverson, 40; David McKenzie, 45; Ladislav
Pataki, 50; Joe Keshmiri, 55; Phil Fehlen, 60; Wendell Palmer, 65; Phil Brusca,
70; Edwin Lukens, 75; Ross Carter, 80; Carol Johnston, 85; Burt Degroot,
90.
Women's Athlete of the Year Awards
TRACK
Aletha Morris, 30; Adina Valdez, 35; Denise Foreman, 40; Mary Libal, 45;
Phil Raschker, 50; Melody Anne Schultz, 55; Jeannee Hoagland, 60; Betty Vosburg,
65; Patricia Peterson, 70; Louise Adams, 75; Mary Haines, 80, Lagrand Mielsen,
85.
FIELD
Anne Jennings, 30; Joy Margerum, 35; Carol Finsrud, 40; Joan Stratton, 45;
Phil Raschker, 50; Vanessa Hilliard, 55; Christel Miller, 60; Lenore McDaniels,
65; Johnnye Valien, 70.
"The Legend" Among Hall of Fame Class
Despite her protest, Phil Raschker of Georgia, W50 was one of seven men and women inducted in December to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame. A shoo-in from the start, Raschker holds countless world titles and age-group records. She shares her letter to USATF officials in which she declares she wouldn't accept election to the Hall of Fame if more women weren't nominated. Joining Phil in the second class of Hall of Fame inductees are: Eddie Benham, the late Paul Spangler, hurdler Jack Greenwood, multi-event star Christel Miller, jumper Richmond "Boo" Morcom and the father of masters track in the USA David Pain of San Diego (now a masters champion cyclist).
World's Oldest Female Sprinter In the Books
As promised, Marie Norbury at age 94 competed in the 100m Nov. 23 in Florida, becoming the oldest female sprinter on record. Her time was 79.6, and her friend Louise Tricard says a record certificate has been signed and will be sent to records czar Pete Mundle. "She enjoyed the walk and will start serious training now!" Tricard writes. "Watch out when she hits 95 in January." Norbury still has a way to go to reach the W90 age-group record held by Zora Lux of Washington state, who did 31.53 at age 90 on June 10, 1995, according to Mundle's book. The oldest women with 200m and 400m times, however, were 92. (Guess they weren't in shape for the short dash.) The oldest male sprinter on record is age 99: Joginder Singh of India, who did 20.82 and 48.42 within 5 days in 1991. However, Singh is entered in a New Zealand meet in January. Now he's 105. Stay tuned.
No Change In Maine Nationals Dates
Contrary to USATF Media reports from the Indy headquarters, the 1998 USATF National Masters Outdoor meet will be July 30-August 2. The dates haven't changed to mid-August. The site already has entry information and promises an online entry form. Highlights: "Entry Fee is $30 for the first event, $15 for the second event, $15 for the third event, and $10 for each subsequent event. Pentathlon entry is $30 and cannot be counted as your first event. Relays are $40 per team. Confirmation of entry will be sent to all competitors who have registered by July 8,1998. (If your form is received after July 8, no confirmation will be sent.) Late entries received after July 8, 1998 will be assessed a $30 penalty. No entries will be accepted after July 20." The 1999 Masters Outdoor Nationals will be at the Disney track in Orlando, Florida.
Tom Byers Makes BIG Comeback
He entered the Fifth Avenue Mile in a nostalgic lark. But Tom Byers' comeback in September as a masters miler is absolutely serious. He won in 4:16.89 -- and served notice that a sub-4 mile outdoors may come sooner than anyone, especially Steve Scott, imagined. At age 42, he wants Scott. In a 1982, Track & Field News interview by WAVA's Tom Jordan, Byers gave hints of why he'd be back in the hunt as a master. "When I'm out on a run and someone comes up and says, 'Hey, you're Tom Byers!' and I ask who they are and they say, 'Well, I'm just an ordinary runner,' I say: 'You're not; we all have our special attributes.' No matter how long I run, I'll have that attitude." That, ladies and gentlemen, is masters track.
Jack Greenwood's Comeback BIG too!
Our Canadian spy reports that legendary masters sprinter/hurdler Jack Greenwood of Kansas and Colorado has rejoined the track wars. We learn: "I knew that Jack had disappeared from masters track, but didn't know why. Assumed it was related to heart problems, since he's had bypass surgery. He said that he gave it up on his doctors' advice, because of knee problems. This summer, though, thought he'd give it a try. He entered a (masters?) meet in Boulder and won 100, 200, 400. Was too late to enter the U.S. Masters, but went to another meet in the fall at Lawrence, again winning the same events. Looks like Jack is Back!"
Masters Census Numbers Dribble Out
Masters make up large parts of road fields, we all know. But how many over-40 athletes compete in track and field? The answer is emerging. USATF's On the Roads newsletter for August/September says 8,189 USATF masters members list themselves as running "track" in 1996, with 3,138 putting down "field." Many of these athletes do both, no doubt, so the total number may surpass 10,000. This compares with close to 40,000 road running masters in 1996. Interestingly, the numbers of open athlete members of USATF are 8,189 (track) and 3,005 (field). So why do these youngsters get all the ink? Our money is as good as theirs. It would be nice, also, if USATF give breakdowns by event and locale. And give National Masters News masters birthdates, too.
WAVA's Durban Site Gets Spiked
For all its flaws, the WAVA World Meet site was still the best thing WAVA had going for itself in terms of publicity and promotion. Now it's basicially gone. The gateway page says: "This site can longer support international traffic and is no longer functional. Please contact the organisers for details." The site neglects to give the organizers' e-mail address. But I'm not shy. Write Linda Barron to protest the yanking of an information-filled site with (almost complete) WAVA results.
Webmaster Fesses up on USATF Site
USATF has been promising a masters page for months -- with no movement. Well, there's a reason for that: I didn't do my job. Early this year I was asked to produce content for the page. I immediately accepted the volunteer job without fully appreciating its scope, technical difficulties or time demands. The upshot: I recently informed USATF's representative in this venture that, after long consideration, I regretfully must pass on the gig. I apologize to all those who were looking forward to its construction. But my free time has become severely limited, and I thought it best to pull out now rather than lead USATF on any longer. Anyone interested in working with USATF to produce a Masters T&F Web site can contact me for details.
Payton Jordan Headlines USATF Results
The file is HUGE, but results from the 1997 nationals at San Jose City College are worth the download time. The 30th annual USATF National Masters Outdoor T&F Championships was highlighted by two world records by Payton Jordan, 80, the former USA Olympic coach (1968). He ran 100 in 14.42 (legal wind of 1.9 mps) and 200 in 30.89 -- into a wind.
Seven-Foot Barrier Falls to New Yorker
It was supposed to be a Stones or a Barrineau -- or certainly another former Olympian. But the first masters athlete to jump 7 feet turns out to be a relative unknown from Newburgh, New York. Glen Conley's historic 2.15m jump breaks Jim Barrineau's old record of 6-11 (2.11) from 1995, and is equated by age-graded tables to almost 7-11 1/2 (2.43) in open competition!
Here's how the stunning news reached the webmaster on August 2, 1997:
TROY, N.Y. (AP) Glen Conley was worried about being too "juiced" on Saturday. It worked. He set an unofficial masters world record in the high jump during the Empire State Games.
Conley, a physical education instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, cleared 7-0 5/8 inches.
"I was just screaming, 'Praise the Lord!' said Conley, 40, who lives in Newburgh. I came out of high school jumping six foot and no one paid any attention to me. I've been thinking about this since I was 35."
Results are online at the Empire State Games site. It turns out that Conley jumped in the open meet -- not against in the well-attended masters section. Conley is not a complete rookie to masters meets, it turns out. He also competed at the Boston masters nationals in March.
Raschker's Record-Smashing Results
Phil (Philippa) Raschker of Georgia, the greatest all-around athlete of any age, won an amazing 10 gold medals (and one silver) at the 12th World Veterans Athletic Championships in Durban, South Africa. Here's what The Legend did (correcting earlier posts based on misinformation from the WAVA site):
July 17: first in heptathlon; pending WR 6105 points (80h 12.86 *
HJ 1.47 * Shot 9.08 * 200 27.17 * LJ 4.78 * Jav 26.70 * 800 2:57.33)
July 19: first in long jump, 5.27 (17-3 1/2) (pending WR)
July 20: first in 100 with 12.65 (pending WR semi 12.65 w -.3 mps
wind * final 12.65 w -.1), first in 300m hurdles (pending AR 49.20)
July 22: first in pole vault (pending WR 3.06/10-1/2")
July 23: first in 200 with 25.72 (pending WR final w -.1), first in
triple jump with 10.49 w +1.3 (34-5) and first in 80m hurdles with 12.68
(pending WR heptathlon 12.86 w -5.2 * pending WR 12.68 w +1.6)
July 26: first in 400 (pending AR final 61.35), second in high jump
with 1.48 (4-10 1/4)
July 27: first in 4x100 - 53.39 pending new WR (Loraine Tucker, Michael
Hill, Johnny Hill and Phil Raschker)
Of these 10 gold-medal efforts, six were with marks that bettered the listed
world WAVA 50-54 outdoor age-group records:
100: 12.65 beats Irene Obera's 12.9 of 1985
200: 25.72 beats Marge Allison's 26.56 of 1995
80H: 12.68 beats Corrie Roovers' 13.02 of 1987
PV: 3.00 beats Pat McNab's 2.90 of 1993 (Earlier in 1997, she vaulted
3.10 -- 10-2 -- at an Olympic Development event at a major U.S. meet)
TJ: 10.49 beats Erika Springmann's 10.08 of 1993
LJ: 5.27 beats Jan Hynes' 5.25 of 1994
Phil also was entered in the 2000m steeplechase July 27, but scratched from the event. I don't know whether her WAVA meet marks represent season PRs. But her 3-record day of July 23 represents one of the most awesome shows of athleticism since Jesse Owens'monster meet in May 1935 -- or Phil's own efforts in Buffalo, Miyazaki, Eugene. . . .
Veterans Age-Group Records Online
From Finland, a hotbed of masters track that hosted the 1991 world WAVA meet, comes word of the first comprehensive Masters Age-Group Records Web site! Olavi Niemi has compiled world indoor and outdoor WAVA records in all 5-year age groups. Also listed are European, Scandinavian and Finnish national veterans records. Niemi is with Perpetuum Mobile magazine, writes Georg Dunkel, webmaster of the records page as well as czar of his own Finnish Veterans 400 home page, which gets better by the month.
Johnny Gray Crushes 800 Record
On July 9, 1997, American Johnny Gray ran his specialty 800 in 1:44.56 -- taking more than six seconds off the M37 record of 1:51.4 by Kurt Schmittenheim of Germany in 1970. (Of course, Gray has broken the record several times this season. This is just the biggest bite he's taken.) Gray's time is equivalent to a 1:40.23 in open competition on the WAVA age-graded tables -- 1.5 seconds faster than WR! The race as reported on the T-and-F Mailing List:
IAAF GRAND PRIX II LINZ, AUSTRIA ZIPFER GUGL GRAND PRIX Wednesday July 9 1997 800 METRES A MEN 1 EVERETT Mark USA 1:43.20 2 KONCHELLAH Patrick KEN 1:43.39 3 GRAY Johnny USA 1:44.56 4 TELLEZ Norberto CUB 1:44.64 5 KIBET Robert KEN 1:45.80 6 WILDNER Michael AUT 1:46.47 7 DAUM Oliver GER 1:46.50 8 MUNZER Oliver AUT 1:46.93 KNOLL Peter AUT DNF
A Shameless Appeal for a Masters Savior
Instead of chronicling the exploits of Merlene Ottey and near-masters Linford Christie, Johnny Gray and other amazing specimens of our species (whose astounding recent marks will be uploaded eventually), the webmaster has been spending time brainstorming about bucks. Specifically: how to get lots of them into USATF Masters coffers. See the results of my ruminations. And please remember masters track in your will!
Enter Podkopayeva Prediction Contest!
The webmaster wondered how fast Yekaterina Podkopayeva would run at age 45. The webmaster isn't alone. Dave T of Massachusetts has launched a contest to predict how fast the Russian will run the 1500 this year, with an Aug. 1 deadline for submitting entries. Thanks, Dave, for undertaking this project -- the first of many masters games, we hope. (And thanks also to National Masters News for pledging a prize!)
M60 Relay Record In Mill at Marin
Andy Hecker reports from Southern California that a 4x1600 relay record attempt for M60-69 is in the works July 26 at the College of Marin, north of San Francisco. WAVA's listed M60 record for that event is 24:06.6 by a U.S. quartet at New Orleans in August 1994. The meet announcement adds: "Any other record attempts are welcome. USAT&F officials will be present. More information will be on the Internet at the Tamalpa Runners Web Site or contact Kevin Mangan (415) 927-1429 or Bernie Hollander (415) 897-6842."
T&FN Editor Reveals Need for Education
On June 12, 1997, the webmaster posted the following note to the The T-and-F Mailing List:
Young and younger (and gh):
When is T&FN going to properly cover Yekaterina Podkopayeva? The Russian
legend turned 45 on June 11-- three days after running 1500 in 4:06.36 (possibly
in the rain) at Moscow IAAF meet. Podkopayeva, who earlier won the World
Indoor 1500 title in 4:05.19, was a far more deserving choice than Mary Slaney
for the May cover. YP is such a phenomenon that her masters marks were excluded
from factoring when a WAVA committee came up with the current age-graded
tables. (Members thought she'd throw the curve off too much.) WAVA lists
the W45 record for 1500 at 4:36.58 by Heather Mathews of New Zealand in 1992.
(But Pete Mundle lists W45 record as 4:34.93 by Jutta Pederson of Sweden
in 1992. So it goes.) Any bets on how fast these will fall? YP is the Queen
of Vets!
--Ken Stone
On June 16, 1997, the editor of Track & Field News (Garry Hill) replied thusly, with a posting to the T-and-F Mailing List:
Doh! Why didn't we think of that?! Those Podkopayeva covers would have moved off the newstand shelves so fast that I could retire a millionaire!
Pardon my snottiness, but can we have a reality check here? The only people who give a rat's ass about Masters track are those few people who actively compete. I salute their hard work, but they're not part of the "elite" track world. Never have been, never will be.
An interesting string of rebuttals followed in succeeding days, including my own. Feel free to add your own comments. Or write directly to Garry Hill.
British Vets Smash Another Relay Best
Our British friend and correspondent Matthew H. Fraser Moat reports another world M40 relay record for the veterans of the British Milers Club. Despite torrential thunderstorms, a BMC fab foursome averaged 4:32 miles to smash the club's own M40-49 record for the 4 X 1-mile. Matthew reports:
BMC Nike Relays at Watford
Wednesday 11th June (Torrential thunderstorms)
2 BMC Veteran Squad 18:08.5
**** World Veteran Record ****
P Molloy V45 4:30.5 / K McLellan V40 4:35.6
D Bedwell V40 4:30.9 / D Wilcock V40 4:31.5
(previous best 18:11.9 by the BMC from 1995)
This mark also is far better than the listed WAVA M40 best for 4x1600 (but listed with a "y" for yards) of 18:22.6 by a USA team of Franklin, Thomas, Barnett and Hampton at Los Gatos, Calif., on Feb. 21, 1988. Well done, chaps!
Happy Birthday, Katy Podkopayeva!
IAAF GRAND PRIX ZAMENSKIY BROTHERS MEMORIAL MOSCOW sunday June 8 1997 Women's 1,500 metres 1. Irina Biryukova (Rus) 4.05.70 2. Lyudmila Borisova (Rus) 4.06.24 3. Yekaterina Podkopayeva 4.06.36 4. Nouria Merah (Algeria) 4.09.93 5. Teresia Kiesl (Austria) 4.10.32 6. Svetlana Miroshnik (Ukraine) 4.11.55 7. Stella Olgeanu (Romania) 4.12.39 8. Olga Komyagina (Rus) 4.13.81
A Big Ol' Howdy to Texas T&F Page!
Phil Murray reports that he's begun a site devoted to Texas Track & Field, which should have no dearth of big things to report, including masters. Amble on by, and check out this growing site!
Another Day, Another Ottey Record
Despite cold and rainy weather -- and running into 1.7mps wind -- Merlene Ottey of Jamaica ran an age-37 world record of 11.59 in the 100 at a small international meet May 11, 1997, in Arnsberg, Germany. So reports the T-and-F Mailing List. Merlene set the record just one day after her birthday. She broke Phil Raschker's listed 37 WR of 12.00, set in 1984. This is the oldest legal-wind sub-12 by a woman. Ottey, of course, ran 10.94 in taking the silver medal at Atlanta. Then on June 5 in Rome, Ottey took sixth in the IAAF Grand Prix Golden Gala 200m, smashing the W37 record of 24.6 by Raschker and Kathleen Holland of Australia by nearly 1.5 seconds. The Rome results:
1, Marina Trandenkova, Russia, 22.79 seconds. 2, Merlene Frazer, Jamaica, 22.84. 3, Juliet Cuthbert, Jamaica, 22.90. 4, Katerina Koffa, Greece, 22.98. 5, Juliet Campbell, Jamaica, 23.02. 6, Merlene Ottey, Jamaica, 23.18. 7, Galina Malchugina, Russia, 23.19. 8, Virna De Angeli, Italy, 23.24. 9, Pauline Davis, Bahamas, 23.80.
Wysocki Record Watch: Part XXXVIII
At the Reebok/VO2 Max Twilight Distance Classic held May 18 at USC, Ruth Wysocki ran a 4:08.69 to win the women's invitational, far exceeding her 4:14.96 in March. The new mark is the third-fastest time in the world this year, according to Andy Hecker. Of course, it's a new American masters record. (The world W40 record remains 4:02.01 by Russia's Yekaterina Podkopayeva in 1992.) With Wysocki, you blink and you lose sight of her latest record. On May 3 at the Steve Scott Invitational at Long Beach, Calif., Ruth at age 40 ran a masters American Record of 2:03.85 (or 2:03.95) for the 800m, according to correspondent Bob Bettwy. Her time falls short of Podkopayeva's WR of 1:59.10, but easily smashes the old AR, variously listed as 2:22.99 by Pam Williams or 2:21.74 by Dee Dee Grafius. On May 10, at the IAAF Grand Prix meet in Osaka, Japan, Ruth hung tough with some of the world's best to get sixth in the 800m. The Osaka and USC results:
1) 2.02.79 Diane Modahl GBR (59.73) 2) 2.03.05 Inez Turner JAM (59.87) 3) 2.03.15 Amy Wickus USA (59.99) 4) 2.03.31 Michelle Dimuro USA (60.04) 5) 2.04.52 Kumiko Okamoto JPN (60.16) 6) 2.06.15 Ruth Wysocki USA (60.30) 7) 2.07.93 Minori Hayakari JPN (61.25) 8) 2.12.97 Yuko Tamate JPN (62.15) 1. Ruth Wysocki, Nike, 4:08.69; 2. Carmen Wuestenhagen, Germany, 4:09.10; 3. Karen Hecox, Adidas, 4:15.26; 4. Shaquandra Roberson, Rice, 4:22.05; 5. Gracie Padilla, Reebok VO2 Max, 4:23.29; 6. Melissa Teemant, BYU TC, 4:27.09; 7. Ester Dubec, Wartburg Iowa TC, 4:27.18; 8. Gail Wehrli, Los Feliz Flyers, 4:33.26
German Masters Web Site Debuts
Last year, she ran the 400 in 58.74 and the 1500 in 4:22.71. She also scorched the 400 hurdles in 63.61. She is Annette Koop of Germany, a W35 wunderkind who graciously informs us of her new Masters Web site. It lists German masters records and recent results and offers a wunderbar set of German track links. Welcome Annette's Seite to the Web!
Scott Still in the Sub-4 Hunt
The Holy Grail for masters milers is the first sub-4 outdoors. Steve Scott, who turned 41 on May 5, has the best shot this year, and he's working toward it. On May 3, Steve ran a reported (again by Bettwy) 3:49.79 for 1500 at the Scott Invitational at Long Beach. Just another American Record, beating the previous M40 best of 3:50.43 by Larry Almberg in 1990. (The world outdoor M40 record is a pending 3:46.7 by Britain's Dave Moorcroft.)Then on May 10, Steve won the mile at the Modesto (Calif.) Invitational. The Modesto results:
1) Steve Scott, unattached, 4:13.12. 2) Brandon Wilding, Brigham Young, 4:13.36. 3) Chris Merkley, Southern Utah, 4:22.16. 4) Carl Buena, unattached, 4:25.09.