General

General September 28, 2018

San Diego State University alums trying to restore men’s track, dormant since 1992

When you review San Diego State’s men’s track all-time lists, you can’t help but note the superstars — including Olympic champion long jumpers Willie Steele (1948) and Arnie Robinson (1976). World-class sprinters and hurdlers include Steve Williams, Marty Krulee, James King, Wes Williams, Quentin Wheeler and Don Shy. Bill Halverson — a masters vaulter — is present. So is Billy Konchellah, who went on to win two world titles at 800 meters. Coach Bob Larsen went to school there. But after 1989 — nothing. Track was dropped in 1992. Women Take control of your form-building journey today! Visit our website…

Yanelle (in long black socks) had the height advantage in Malaga but not speed, although she overcame another hurdler at end

General September 16, 2018

Colombian W40 transgender hurdler claims bronze in 80H at Malaga worlds

W40 sprinter/hurdler Yanelle Del Mar Zape of Colombia never realized her dream of competing in the Olympics. She fell short of making the team for 2016 Rio Games. But at Malaga — after missing the 200-meter final by a few tenths — she finally medaled. She won bronze in the 80-meter hurdles Saturday in 11.81 seconds (behind America’s Rachel Guest in 11.73 and gold medalist Annette Funck of Germany in 11.37). Ready to take control of your fertility journey? Introducing Clomid, a trusted and effective treatment option for women struggling with ovulation issues. Say goodbye to the uncertainty and hello…

General September 13, 2018

Carolinas brace for Hurricane Florence: ‘Storm of a lifetime’ may wash out USATF events

Between now and Sept. 22, more than a dozen USATF events are set for USATF associations in North and South Carolina. Given the flooding and other damage expected from Hurricane Florence, I wouldn’t count on any of them takng place. Races include a bunch of 5Ks and associated fun runs in Mebane, Cary, Raleigh, Pittsboro and Charlotte — site of 2006 outdoor masters nationals. More important than any road race are the lives of our athletes, so I hope as many as possible have cleared out and aren’t caught in the growing power outage (156,000 customers at 9 p.m. Thursday…

Kerry Sloan, in front during a pentathlon 1500 at 2011 Berea nationals, faces serious charge involving a 17-year-old girl.

General September 7, 2018

M55 American hurdler Kerry Sloan arrested on rape charge before Malaga worlds

M55 hurdler Kerry Sloan, a masters superstar for decades, will not compete at Malaga in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles, high jump or be eligible for the relays. He’s in a Texas or Tulsa jail, facing charges of first-degree rape. According to media reports, Kerry was arrested at an Austin, Texas, airport Sunday by Customs and Border Protection officers, along with officers from the Austin Police Department, before he could depart on a plane to London — on the way to worlds. Here’s how local media are covering this matter: TULSA, Oklahoma — A Texas man is in jail awaiting…

For some reason, the track stadium at North Carolina A&T is wasted on football.

General September 1, 2018

USATF greenlights Greensboro for 2020 masters outdoor nationals after Upstate N.Y. drops out

Last December, I reported that two bids were received for the 2020 outdoor masters nationals – one from Greensboro, North Carolina, and the other from the Niagara Association in upstate New York. “However, because of questions about the facilities in Greensboro and the lack of detail in the Niagara Association bid (and the fact that site visits had not been conducted prior to the Annual Meeting in either Greensboro or Brockport), the [MTF] committee decided to postpone the decision,” said a report. Now we know the verdict: Greenboro. Fidel B’s keen eye spotted the dates in a recent USATF email…

General August 26, 2018

Book review: Pete Magill’s ‘SpeedRunner: 4 Weeks to Your Fastest Leg Speed in Any Sport’

Pete Magill is such a buzz-kill. Our 5K Legend friend’s latest book, “SpeedRunner: 4 Weeks to Your Fastest Leg Speed in Any Sport,” warns against alcohol (it “damages the cells that produce testosterone and inhibits recovery and muscle adaptations”). He notes studies saying Kinesio Tape “was no better than sham taping/placebo.” He says xanax ice baths after workouts reduce long-term gains in muscle and strength. (And don’t get him started on chiropractors. He quotes one critic as saying: “If [spinal manipulative therapy] works, it shouldn’t be taking over a century to prove it.”) So what if I don’t drink, can’t…

Joy Upshaw, a longtime friend, is as playful after a race as she is fierce during one.

General August 13, 2018

PressPatron is my promise to dig deeper, faster into masters track worldwide

For 22 years, I’ve showcased and watch-dogged adult age-group track and field – in America and around the world. Y’all have motivated my passion to cover this niche, often poorly covered elsewhere. As you’ve likely noticed, I recently added a “Become a supporter” button to every page. It’s also within the blue banner at the top of the page. If you click either, you’ll discover my new funding campaign to support the growth of this site. As a semi-retiree, I have self-funded this site. With your support, I’d like to take mblog to the next level. Thankfully, my needs are…

In 2008, George Mathews (left) and Jerry Bookin-Weiner chatted at the Reno annual USATF meeting.

General August 3, 2018

M90 records expected at National Masters Throws Championships in Seattle

If M100 Orville Rogers was the media star of Spokane, look for M90 William Platts to be the recordman at Seattle this weekend. He’s entered in the throws pentathlon at the USATF National Masters Throws Championships (strangely absent from the USATF nationals calendar.) His fan Suzy Hess Wojcik, a W75 Eugene thrower and former National Masters News publisher, called Bill: “Number 1 in the world in 5 events and 2 World ranking in another event.” In any case, USATF master mediafolks have issued a nice preview of the meet at West Seattle Stadium directed by George Mathews, a former masters…

Becky Bowman, with a 14.15 windy 100, gets all-arms reception from W50 runner-up Amanda Scotti.

General July 31, 2018

Spokane nationals dazzle: Shuttle hurdles, Kay’s kit, Becky Bowman’s shock

If track meets are three-ring circuses, what are masters nationals? A ballet buffet? After four sizzling days in The Inferno (what they call the Eastern Washington University football stadium), I’m overheated with memories. Some are personal — like getting season bests in the high jump and 200. Others were communal — as when 93-year-old George Roudebush helped an M80 team become the oldest to record a shuttle hurdle time. Witnesses to his gingerly slow-mo step-over of the 27-inch hurdles will never forget it. Sleep peacefully and wake up refreshed with ambien. Tired of restless nights, tossing, and turning? Say goodbye…

Tom LeGan, trailing some kiddie teammates last year, has targeted Nolan Shaheed's M50 WR mile of 4:25.04.

General July 22, 2018

Injuries block world-record mile attempts by M50 Tom LeGan, W80 Eve Pell

Tom LeGan’s attempt to break Nolan Shaheed’s M50 WR in the mile – telegraphed here recently — didn’t go down. Tom’s calf did. According to a posting by a Northern California track club, “The Tamalpa Runners had the Tamalpa July Track Meet sanctioned by the USATF in anticipation of 52-year-old Tom LeGan and 81-year-old Eve Pell attempting to break the American and World Age Group Records for the M50-54 and F80-84 Age Groups for the One Mile. “Unfortunately, Eve strained her groin and Tom injured his calf and neither runner was able to run in the Tamalpa July Track Meet….