AWARDS
Masters Track & Field and Masters LDR recognize excellence in athletic performance and administrative contributions via several award and recognition programs. Yearly awards include All American, Age Group Awards, Athletes of the Year, Hall of Fame, David Pain Award, Centenarian Award, Rex Harvey Combined Event Athlete of the Year Award and
four annual Throws Awards. Additionally, Rankings Awards are now available through the World Masters Athletics.
Masters Track & Field Awards | Masters Throws Awards | Masters LDR Awards
Masters Track & Field Annual Awards
Under the direction of the Masters Track & Field Awards sub-committee, annual awards are presented to outstanding masters track and field athletes each year at the Athletes Dinner held during the USATF Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Awards are given in several categories. An award is also presented for distinguished service to Masters Track and Field.
To view the rules and criteria for awards, please visit the sub-committee description.
ALL-AMERICAN
All-American Awards are offered to masters athletes whose performances exceed established standards for their events and age groups. You can see all the details and application forms here.
AGE GROUP ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Male and female athletes are selected in each age group based on their performances during the preceding years indoor and outdoor season. Click here to see all previous MTF Athlete of the Year award winners and here to see all previous LDR Master Athlete of the Year award winners.
MASTERS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Each year the Masters Track & Field Committee, and Masters Long Distance Running Committee each presents a Masters Athlete of the Year Award. Athletes are selected by the respective Awards Committees (note that prior to 2022 this award alternated between MTF and MLDR on an annual basis). Click here to see all previous Athlete of the Year award winners.
HALL OF FAME
Each year, since 1996, athletes have been inducted into the USATF Masters Hall of Fame. Originally this was a joint MTF/MLDR Masters Hall of Fame, but since 2010 MTF and MLDR each has its own Hall of Fame. Click here to see all previous inductees. Nomination information for the Masters Hall of Fame is available here.
DAVID PAIN AWARD
This award is awarded yearly for outstanding service to Masters Track and Field. Click here to see all previous award winners.
CENTENARIAN AWARD
This award is presented periodically to outstanding athletes 100 years old and above.
REX HARVEY COMBINED EVENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is presented to the outstanding combined event athletes selected by the combined events sub-committee. Click here to see all previous award winners.
Masters Throws Awards
CAROL FINSRUD AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AS A MASTER THROWER
The Carol Finsrud Award is presented annually in honor of Carol Finsrud (1957-). Carol is an outstanding Master thrower with numerous World and American Records and championships to her credit. It is presented each year to an outstanding American Masters thrower who:
- Exhibits consistent excellence in performance (world and American records and championships), not just in the year in which the award is presented but over time;
- Consistently encourages and assists fellow competitors.
- Sets a standard both in throwing and in sportsmanship that others seek to emulate.
Click here to see all awards winners.
Note: Prior to 2022 this was known as the Lad Pataki award.
KEN WEINBEL AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MASTERS THROWING COMMUNITY
This award is given annually in honor of Ken Weinbel (1928-2012). Ken served the Masters community for many years as an athlete, meet director and administrator. He established the USA Masters Weight & Superweight Championships and promoted the Ultra Weight Pentathlon. He was meet director of those events in Seattle from their inception until 2008. He served as Chair of the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee from 1996 to 2000. It is presented each year to an American Masters thrower who has made exemplary contributions to the Masters throwing community over a period of years and has a strong record of accomplishment both as a thrower and as a meet organizer and administrator.
Click here to see all award winners.
TOM GAGE AWARD MALE THROWER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented annually in honor of Tom Gage (1943-2010). Tom was an Olympian in the hammer throw who never stopped competing. He held numerous American and World Masters age group records in the hammer, weight, and super weight throws and was a frequent national champion or medalist also in the discus throw and shot put. It is presented annually to the male Master thrower with outstanding achievements in a given year.
Click here to see all award winners.
VANESSA HILLIARD AWARD FEMALE THROWER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented annually in honor of Vanessa Hilliard (1941-2011). Vanessa was a pioneer among female Masters throwers. She held numerous American and World masters age-group records in the hammer, weight and super weight throws and was a frequent national champion or medalist also in the discus throw and shot put. It is presented annually to the female Master thrower of the year, the thrower with outstanding achievements in a given year.
Click here to see all award winners.
WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS RANKING CERTIFICATES
World Masters Athletics Ranking awards recognize accomplishments and further motivate athletes to train harder. Find more information about the available Masters Rankings Awards here.