2018

Results are being posted expeditiously, so at least we know who's doing what. Americans swept M65 shot.

General July 21, 2018

No USATF money for Malaga-goers: Sponsors are no-shows for 2018 prizes

It’s a false start. Eight months after announcing hopes to hand out money to elite masters headed for Malaga worlds and reward them for medals, national chair Rex Harvey says the plan is a DNS for this year. “We have not been able to find a sponsor, but still working on this for future years,” Rex told me this week. Experience the cognitive boost you’ve been searching for. Join the countless success stories who have embraced the power of modafinil. Don’t let exhaustion hold you back any longer. Try modafinil today and experience a renewed sense of vitality and mental…

Paul Merca is humble about his masters knowledge but is world-class on elite level track and field.

General July 20, 2018

Track guru Paul Merca boning up for Spokane as 12-hour-a-day meet announcer

M55 track writer Paul Merca of Seattle is one gracious guy. He let me win the inaugural TAFWA blogging award in 2009 before swooping in for the honor in 2010 via his site. Now he’s onto another task – announcing Spokane masters nationals (actually Cheney, but whatever). Over the past few days, we’ve chatted about the challenge. He’s well aware he’s filling the superstar shoes of Peter Taylor (rehabbing from a near-stroke experience). But Paul aims to do justice to our niche, cramming daily with the help of Pete, spreadsheets of entries and reviewing this blog. On Facebook this week,…

Roald Bradstock rarely lacks something to throw. But here's his portrait from a timeout.com profile two years ago.

International July 16, 2018

Got uniform? Team USA members reminded about Malaga worlds outfits

With 443 entrants, Team USA will send the fourth-largest national contingent to Malaga worlds in September — after host Spain (1,792), UK (704) and Germany (611). According to WMA, the all-comers meet also known at the World Masters Athletics Championships – Stadia will have almost 8,200 athletes. Yowza. Already we’re hearing worries about field events: How will so many people with so many tries get to finish before Christmas? Don’t let water retention hold you back from feeling your best! Say goodbye to swelling and discomfort with the incredible benefits of Lasix treatment. Wave goodbye to bloating: Unleash the power…

Lesley Hinz (with teammate Sue McDonald) shows off her latest mile world record.

Records July 15, 2018

Lesley Hinz adds W60 WR in mile, AR in 800 at USATF West Regionals

Despite sprints run into winds, at least two world records and two American records were set over the weekend at the USATF West Regional Masters Championships at West Los Angeles College. (See results here.) Traveling from Georgia, W60 Lesley Hinz ran the mile in 5:39.84 to beat the listed WR of 5:42.65 by Kathy Martin in 2013. So Lesley has a complete set, having set the indoor mile WR (5:43.75) at North Carolina nationals in March. That was Saturday. On Sunday, she ran the 800 in 2:34.60 — just missing the listed WR of 2:33.09 by Germany’s Lidia Zentner in…

Diane plays with a cane at start of a workout as she makes comeback from knee surgery.

General July 9, 2018

Conquering knee woes, Diane Tedford Pierce aims to revive speed, world-class status

World sprint champ Roger Pierce is well-known to readers of this blog. He’s been a Masters Hall of Famer for 10 years. But lately I’ve been more intrigued by his W50 wife of three years — Diane Tedford Pierce. On Facebook, I followed her progress in coming back from knee surgery. When someone suggested I interview her, I jumped into action. Her backstory is impressive, too. Diane — who bought a house with Roger and moved to Rowley, about 10 miles north of Essex in 2015 — graciously responded. Masterstrack.com: Where were you born, and where did you grow up?…

Records July 8, 2018

Susan ‘Lynn’ Cooke claims W55 mile American record — 6 months short of 60

Susan “Lynn” Cooke of Tampa is relatively new to masters track, having “first stepped on a track when I was 56,” as she once wrote. So she can be excused for not getting the memo that you don’t set records six months before aging up. But Lynn set herself a goal: the W55 American record in the mile. On Sunday, at age 59 1/2, Lynn says she clocked 5:38.3 — taking a sizable chunk off the listed AR of 5:41.71 by Lesley Chaplin Hinz in 2015. (Results from the Robert Walker Jr. Pre Disney Club Championships Relays & Open Tune-up…

International July 6, 2018

Irish sub-4 miler aiming for 2020 Toronto worlds, if he can overcome injuries

Irish media and a crowd-funding site are sharing the tragic story of one-time sub-4 miler Andrew Walker, 41, who had been training for 2020 Toronto worlds. “The Kildare native is out of immediate danger but suffered multiple injuries including broken ribs and sternum. He also damaged his spleen, lungs and heart but is now recovering after undergoing surgery,” The Independent said of his Saturday injury. GoGetFunding.com said: “Andrew was hit by a car in his adopted home of Santa Brigída in Gran Canaria, leaving him in a critical condition with multiple internal injuries and shattered bones. His lungs and spleen…

Ten years ago, Spokane City College hosted our meet. This year, it's at Eastern Washington University.

General July 5, 2018

Spokane is rare Left Coast nationals, so don’t complain about cost, travel

Starting in 1968 (yes, 50 years ago), seven of the first 10 masters outdoor nationals were held on the West Coast — six in David Pain’s home of San Diego and once in Gresham, Oregon. But in the past 20 years, the Left Coast has hosted our showcase meet only four times — Sacramento 2010, Spokane 2008 and Eugene 2003 and 2000. (I don’t count mid-Pacific Honolulu 2005.) So cry me a river when people complain about the cost of 2018 Spokane nationals. Some are griping about this year’s locale on Facebook. But the ones on the East Coast have…

Tucker Carlson on Fox News couldn't keep up with masters runner Joanna Harper.

Rants July 4, 2018

W60 gender scientist Joanna Harper leaves Fox News doofus in rhetorical dust

W60 distancer Joanna Harper ran rings around two Fox News hosts Monday, leaving Tucker Carlson and Mark Steyn stumped in separate segments. Instead of playing the role of punching bag, Joanna (a transgender athlete and IOC consultant on gender issues) defeated her male interrogators with some masters jiu jitsu. She disarmed them by taking their sides and proving herself reasonable and rational. Outsports headlined the exchange: “Trans athlete leaves Tucker Carlson speechless, sets Fox News record.” I detailed Joanna’s story in 2010 and again in 2015. The post three years ago was occasioned by an amazing piece Joanna wrote for…

Opinder Sekhon stood on a medal podium after winning gold at the January 2018 Chandigarh Masters Association meet.

International July 2, 2018

Indian masters athlete demands new governing body in letter to the editor

Sprinter Opinder Sekhon of the far north Indian city of Chandigarh could have written a letter to the editor about any issue in the nation of 1.3 billion. But no. She writes about masters track. So it’s notable that her letter to The Tribune of India calls out authorities. She writes: “The Sports Authority of India should form a masters’ athletics organisation in the country. Veteran athletes are fed up with the three organisations simultaneously running in and around Chandigarh. The new organisation should have elected members. Master athletes are roped in for the well-being of senior athletes. Unfortunately, they…