Masters Track is Back!

The USATF Masters Mega Regional, incorporating the East Region, Southeast Region, and Potomac Valley Association Masters Championships drew more than 265 entries to Landover, Maryland for two days of blistering weather (temps in the 90s both days) and equally blistering competition.  Eight American records fell, three on the track and five in the field.  Newly minted W90 Hall of Famer Gloria Krug led the way with ARs in the weight throw, superweight throw, hammer throw, shot put, and discus throw.  Newly minted W55 former racewalk Olympian Michelle Rohl smashed the AR in the 1500m on Saturday and followed that up with another AR in the 800m on Sunday.  And newly minted M75 Hall of Famer Gary Patton made the trek from Iowa to run in Landover and broke the AR in the 800m on Sunday.  With COVID protocols modeled on those to be followed for the Nationals in Iowa later this summer, the meet served as a good reintroduction to Masters track & field for the athletes and officials alike.

At the SC Striders Meet of Champions in Santa Ana, California nearly 200 athletes enjoyed fabulous weather and a great meet.  Two records fell, both to MTF Hall of Famer Kathy Bergen (W80) in the 100m and 200m.

In addition to these two meets, there were several other Masters meets this past weekend, including the Florida Association Open and Masters Championships and the first Atlas Field Throws Meet in Lockhart, Texas, where Eric Cole (M50) and Carol Finsrud (W60) turned in stellar performances.

Brenda Steele Matthews, one of the meet directors for the Striders Meet of Champions said “everyone was smiling and really enjoying back on the track – they were just loving it! They were like babies at a birthday party.  Lots of giddiness.”  Jerry Bookin-Weiner, MTF Chair and meet director of the Mega Regional in Maryland echoed those comments, noting how appreciative everyone was that there were now meets and actual live competitions after a year of lockdowns and virtual meets.

With MTF now holding competitions for the 25-29 age group, both meets had about 5% of the total participants in that new age group.

Other meets on tap this summer include the Southwest Region Masters Championships outside Houston, Texas on June 26, the Midwest Region Masters Championships at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio on July 10, the Northwest Region Masters Championships in West Seattle, Washington on July 17, the National Masters Combined Events Championships in Fort Collins, Colorado on August 11-12, the Mid America Region Masters Championships in Fort Collins on August 14-15, and the National Masters Throws Championships in West Seattle, Washington on August 21-22.