2021

Kay, in her trademark red elf tights, is our Medicare masters star.

General December 12, 2021

Newbie Hall of Famer Kay Glynn remains veteran at jaw-dropping holiday photos

Kay Glynn once feared her masters track career was over. But after becoming the poster girl for hip-resurfacing, she continued her stellar sporting life. And recently at age 68, she achieved a dream recognition: induction into the USATF Masters Track & Field Hall of Fame. She says she was totally shocked by that honor — and an earlier one: Being named a Rex Harvey Award Winner for combined events athlete of the year. “All I knew is that I felt strong and healthy this year, but I was always struggling to improve my technique in so many events,” she told…

Julia Hawkins ran 100 meters in 62.95 seconds for the first women's mark in the W105 age group.

Rants December 6, 2021

Was Julia Hawkins’ W105 record for 100 railroaded to ratification? Crickets on concerns

One month ago — Nov. 6 — Julia Hawkins of Baton Rouge scooted 100 meters at the Louisiana Senior Games at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her time — just under 63 seconds — wasn’t as important as her being the first woman (and only third human) to compete in track and field at age 105. She drew global fame, thanks to massive publicity from the National Senior Games Association before and after the meet. Over the weekend, the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee, convened at the Orlando annual meeting, ratified the mark as an American record, with world record status pending. Case…

Kathy Bergen keeps her head down and eyes up for a 2022 that could include more world titles.

Records November 27, 2021

Kathy Bergen bulldozes through pandemic with latest AOY award, plans winning 2022

Depending on your view, Kathy Bergen chose the exact right or wrong time to turn 80. It was December 2019, when only a few had heard of COVID-19. Join countless individuals who have unlocked their full potential with modafinil. Whether you’re a student looking to excel academically or a professional aiming for peak performance, this smart drug has got your back! Ready to unleash your brain’s true potential? DM us now to learn more about how modafinil can help you achieve greatness! But while some elite masters hunkered down and bloated up, Kathy kept on trackin’ — her eyes on…

Gary Patton battled Kevin Solomon of Australia in the last few meters of the 3000 at 2019 Torun worlds, clocking 11:30.11 for M70 silver.

General October 22, 2021

M75 Gary Patton engineers record-breaking season, wins USATF Masters Athlete of the Year

Last December, Masters Hall of Famer Gary Patton turned 75 and set his eyes on some middle-distance records. First up, in January, was Paul Perry’s 6:10.98 American age-group record in the indoor mile. Gary scorched a Wichita State track in 5:55.26 — a rare sub-6 for a 75-year-old. (The listed WR is 5:41.95 by Canada’s Earl Fee.) But the Kansas meet lacked a USATF sanction, so the mark was rejected. Not to worry. Gary — a retired engineer in Rock Rapids, Iowa (about 50 minutes east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota) — kept cranking. The result: American outdoor records in…

Records July 22, 2021

At Ames Masters Nationals, Flo Meiler Continues World Record Spree as 87-Year-Old

With meet organizers and USATF enchiladas spiking their “wear green or red wristbands” edict on vaccination status, USATF Masters nationals opened Thursday at Ames, Iowa — the first major meet since 2019 Ames nationals in 2019. Thankfully, competition supplanted controversy. While waiting (likely in vain) for USATF brass to answer my wristband questions, check out photos by Rob Jerome and highlights of Day 1, graciously provided by Mike Mahon: Ames, Iowa — Florence Meiler (Sprinticity/Shelburne, Vt.), 87, set two age-group world masters records to highlight the first day of competition at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships Thursday on the campus…

Dave Albo is the latest victim of the COVID culture wars. He won't shoot Ames meet, fearing mockery of the vaccinated or unvaccinated.

General July 18, 2021

Vax wristbands lead ace photographers Dave Albo, Rob Jerome to bail out of shooting Ames masters nationals

Dave Albo is one of the great track photographers of our day — not just a nifty M65 shooter of geezers at masters nationals who runs a mean 400. On Saturday, he asked my opinion of whether he should bow out of shooting Ames nationals this coming week on account of its recently posted COVID-19 protocols — which include mandatory wristbands. Consult your healthcare provider today to see if Zithromax is right for you. Take charge of your health and say hello to a happier, healthier you! Athletes must show their vaccination status — wearing green bands for having gotten…

General July 14, 2021

Forever home found for 1977-2006 set of National Masters News — shipping being paid

Update: Fast out of the blocks, a group has offered to take the Sheahen materials. Original post: In 2013, after former National Masters News publisher Al Sheahen died, his family let me collect his old materials. Much of it was scanned and posted at mastershistory.org This includes a rare complete set of National Masters News (and company records) from 1977 to 2006, plus original photos. I no longer have room for these materials, but would happily give them all to someone who wants them or can share with a library or school. Sheahen, who lived in Van Nuys and Sherman…

Obituaries June 20, 2021

Ralph Romain dies at 88; lanky Trinidad sprinter was WR legend at 200 and 400

Ralph Irving Romain was an education expert who worked for the World Bank and UNESCO. He taught history at New York’s Medgar Evers College of CUNY. In the 1960s, not long after his native Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from the UK, Ralph was the Caribbean nation’s education minister, writing a 15-year plan through 1983. “Equipped with training at the graduate level at Cambridge University, Romain took on the challenge of creating an educational system designed to allow equal opportunity to quality education for all the children of the country,” wrote Ralph Henry in the nation’s oldest newspaper. “He was…

Ray Glier (inset) has sights set on telling our stories.

General June 13, 2021

GeezerJock magazine reincarnated as free newsletter, with veteran sportswriter at helm

In 2004, a Chicagoan’s idea for a masters sports magazine caught my attention and fluttered my heart. It had me at its title — GeezerJock. Despite the cheeky name, editor Sean Callahan and partners were serious, and I joined as a contributing track writer. In 2005, it even named an obscure 54-year-old sprinter named Bill Collins as its inaugural Michelob ULTRA GeezerJock of the Year. But in 2008, after months of editorial excellence but poor circulation (and changing its name to Masters Athlete), the book I called Sports Illustrated for age-groupers folded amid the Big Recession. (The same publication pandemic…

Sacramento State has a fast track but a dearth of shade for summertime scorching temps.

General March 16, 2021

Sacramento 2021 masters nationals spiked? Email newsletter provokes questions on when, where

Yesterday’s newsy email from USATF Masters has raised concerns that our 2021 national outdoor meet won’t be held in Sacramento as previously awarded. All we know is: “Summer 2021 – USATF Masters Outdoor Championships: To be announced soon.” But the newsletter also says: “July 17 – Northwest Region Masters Outdoor Track and Field Meet: Seattle, WA – details forthcoming soon.” Given that the Sacramento Sports Commission website shows dates of July 15-18 for Sacto masters nationals, we now have dueling mysteries: When and where will outdoor nationals be held? (Meanwhile, the official USATF Masters website says: “USATF Masters Outdoor Track…