Jerry Bookin-Weiner

Robert Thomas hopes to succeed Jerry Bookin-Weiner (right) as USATF Masters T&F Committee chairman.

General December 2, 2024

Q&A’s with Robert Thomas Jr. and Mike Travers, USATF masters chair and treasurer candidates

Masters Hall of Famer Robert Thomas Jr. of Indiana, a world-class age-group quarter-miler until a few years ago, is poised to succeed Jerry Bookin-Weiner as USATF Masters T&F chairman at this week’s annual meeting in Orlando. In a frank Q&A, he says Mt. SAC withdrew as 2025 outdoor nationals host because of pricey per diems for Southern California Association officials. He also supports more masters drug-testing if the budget allows. And he reveals that USATF annual meetings will be remotely viewable beginning in 2025. Below Robert’s responses is a reply to some of my questions from incumbent USATF Masters T&F…

The new, improved Hilmer Lodge Stadium hosted USATF Masters National Combined Events Championships in 2023.

General August 27, 2024

Mt. SAC to USATF: We won’t host 2025 masters outdoor nationals without money guarantee

Mt. San Antonio College — home of the early spring Mt. SAC Relays — is no stranger to big meets. The Walnut community college east of Los Angeles was awarded the 2020 Olympic Trials but lost it thanks to worries over pending lawsuits (later resolved). The school’s beautifully rebuilt Hilmer Lodge Stadium hosted the USATF masters combined event national meet in 2023 and the U.S. Para National Championships this past March. So in December 2022, when Mt. SAC was awarded the 2025 USATF Masters National Outdoor Championships, expectations were high for another great meet. Now those hopes have crashed. Mt….

USATF field referee checks out shot put ring at American River College.

General July 17, 2024

Update: Olympic Trials starter is at Sacto nationals, with sloping shot put sector fixed just in time

I’m back! Not only blogging (for the first time in a year), but also competing at USATF masters nationals. We’re in Sacramento — at American River College, not Sac State like 2010 nationals and 2011 worlds. I couldn’t resist entering my umpteenth nationals at age 70. Today was arrival day for many. After 2 p.m., bib numbers (with names on one of a pair!) were handed out. Declarations were made for Thursday events. Sign-ups began for massage and chiro sessions ($60 for 20 minutes.) Weather was nice — mid-80s. (But no such luck the rest of the meet.) Shuttle hurdles…

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…

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…

Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State has seen many masters records. Hoping 2021 affords us some more.

General January 5, 2021

Will Sacramento masters nationals go way of 2021 Millrose Games? Vaccination levels key

In late July 2010, USATF masters nationals were staged at Sacramento State University, site of the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Trials. The 2010 meet was a warmup for 2011 worlds, also mainly at Hornet Stadium. Now the question: Will Sacramento host 2021 masters nationals — either in July or delayed till August? It’s officially still on, as national chair Jerry Bookin-Weiner said today on Facebook. But the dates are fluid. For those who prefer customized dosages or need a more versatile option, our liquid nolvadex solutions are here to cater to your specific requirements. Enjoy the flexibility of adjusting doses…

M60 hurdler Jeff Brower , shown at 2005 masters nationals in Hawaii, has cleared most bureaucratic barriers as well.

General January 2, 2021

Jeff Brower steps down as masters records czar; modernized process for 6 years

For six years, Jeff Brower of Texas has been chair of the USATF Masters T&F records committee. He cleaned up a holy mess left by Sandy Pashkin, whose failures I noted over the years (including a 2006 post headlined “Sandy Pashkin, as roadblock to records, has to go.”) Sandy inherited an index-card system from Pete Mundle, a booger beyond belief. Jeff also helped update the MTF website, finally adopting a WordPress design. (Easier to use.) And in 2020, according to his annual report, Jeff didn’t take a dime from his $3,000 budget. Now Jeff is stepping down. Our fourth records…

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

General May 14, 2020

Greensboro meet decision expected Friday; 2022 nationals sites announced

Interim national masters chair Jerry Bookin-Weiner made some big announcements Wednesday in his latest update. And in a Facebook post today, he said: “The [masters] Outdoor Championships in Greensboro have not yet been cancelled. The notice about the future of that meet is scheduled for tomorrow.” Discover the transformative power of Accutane – the ultimate solution for clearer and healthier skin. Are you tired of struggling with stubborn acne? Say goodbye to breakouts and hello to radiant skin with accutane! Experience life-changing results with Accutane. This powerful drug works from within to provide long-lasting relief from acne. Don’t let acne…

Jerry Bookin-Weiner and his wife, Hedy, chat with the late Rex Harvey at Michigan nationals banquet in 2018.

Rants April 4, 2020

Question for national chair Jerry Bookin-Weiner: What out-of-competition drug testing?

Reno is a good bet for improving masters communications. Following the 2008 annual meeting there, national masters chair Gary Snyder launched a blog. It didn’t last long, but it showed the way. Later, he and Rex Harvey used National Masters News to report to the masses. And Rex would pop up on Facebook. Rest his soul. Now just months after the 2019 Reno annual meeting, Jerry Bookin-Weiner, Rex’s successor as national chair, has announced he’ll use Facebook (at least two groups) to share thoughts and parry questions. That’s great. On Saturday, he posted to the USATF Masters group and the…

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…