USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
SportMasters track and field
Founded1968 (1968)
CountryUnited States
Related
competitions		USATF Masters Indoor Championships
Official websiteusatfmasters.org
Men 70-74 100 meter dash at 2021 Championships in Ames, Iowa

The USATF Masters Outdoor Championships is an annual track and field competition which serves as the national championship for the United States for athletes in masters age groups. Organized by USA Track & Field, the national governing body for the sport, the competition was first held in 1968.[1] Athletes compete in 5-year age groups, beginning from 25 and up to 105 (where sufficient entries are made). Traditionally limited to athletes over 35, a "pre-masters" group was introduced in 2020 to encourage post-collegiate athletes over 25 to continue competing.[2]

The 1968 meet was the first ever national championship for masters track and field. David Pain organized a masters mile run competition in 1966 at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, which grew into a wider track and field championship two years later.[3]

History

Through the efforts of David Pain, masters track and field and its first Outdoor Track and Field Championship began in 1968.[4] The first competition was held July 19–21, 1968 in San Diego. The 1968 meet included competitions for men age 40 and older. The meet has continued annually since, with the exception of 2020 which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] The 1968 meet, and for several years after, included programs providing time schedules, and athletes names and ages.[6] 1968 represented the first time a major masters track and field competition was held. The meet was sponsored by the San Diego Recreation Department, San Diego Track and Field Association, and the Los Angeles Seniors Track Club.[7]

The 1971 meet (and future meets) added women as part of the competition.[8] The 2019 meet included a complete set of individual running (sprints, middle distance, and long distance), hurdles, steeplechase, race walk, jumps (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump) and throwing events (shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin), as well as team relays.[9]

The USA National Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championship has included many prominent feats within the sport of masters track and field. At the 1968 meet, James Gorrell ran one of the fastest miles ever run by an athlete over age 40.[10] The 1969 meet included 535 participants.[11] At the 1970 meet, Richard Stolpe broke the 220 yard masters record in 23.3, Jack Razzetto the high jump record, and Sandy Patterson the hammer throw record.[12] More recently, distance runner Nolan Shaheed and sprinter Irene Obera have been multi-time masters national champions.

In August 1988 a major milestone was achieved when Philipa Raschker was the first female to pole vault at a major USA track and field championship for any age category. She vaulted 2.45 (8'-0 1/2") at age 40.[13][14]

The 1988 meet added a special event the “Legends Miles” (M40) that included Ron Bell (Britain), Byron Dyce (Jamaican Olympian), Harry Nolan, John Dixon (New Zealand), Ken Sparks, Al Swenson, Web Loudat, Steve Ferraz, and Ron Jensen. Bell setting a new M40 World Record while winning in 4:12.58.[15][16]

Frank Struna has had much success at the competition, winning eight national championships (six triple jump and two long jump), and setting a then current M55 indoor triple jump record.[17]

The 2009 meet included several masters records by Leland McPhie (M95), Karen Steen (W45), Sabre Harvey (W60), Becky Sisley (W70) and Florence Meiler (W70).[18]

At the July 2010 meet Ralph Maxwell was the first American age 90 plus to complete the sprint hurdle race. Ralph was rewarded with a gold medal and a masters M90 world record in a time of 21.47.[19][20]

The 2014 meet included three separate M90 plus masters relay records. Each record included a foursome all age 90 and older. Champion Goldy Sr (97), Orville Rogers (96), Roy Englert (92), Charles Ross (91), and Charles Boyle (91) shared the workload, medals, and records.[21]

USATF offered funds to top ranked American masters athletes to support travel to the competition in 2019.[22]

A full history of past results of the competition is held by Mastershistory.org,[23] while a full list of organizer bids for the event is held at the USATF website.[24]

Participants

Olympians

Numerous Olympians have competed at the USA Masters Outdoor Championships. In 1968 Bruce MacDonald won two gold medals.[25] Johnny Kelley, winner at the Boston Marathon, was also the winner of the M50+ division Marathon race,[26] Bud Held won the javelin in 218’-2”,[27] and Fortune Gordien won in his discus throw category.[28] Gordien and George Rhoden (a Jamaican Olympian) won gold at the 1969 meet.[29] Bud Held broke the masters world record in the javelin with 229’-3” throw at the 1970 meet.[30] The July 1970 meet also included Arthur Barnard, Boo Morcom, Bob Richards, and Steve Seymour as competitors.[31]

Payton Jordan (1964 and 1968 Olympic Coach) won 100 and 200 meters at the 1989 meet.[32]

Jim Burnett competed at the 1980 Masters Outdoor Championship was an alternate leg on the 1968 Olympics relay team.[33]

The 1994 Outdoor meet included Tom Gage, Phil Mulkey, Deby LaPlante Sweezey, and Fred Sowerby (an Antigua and Barbuda Olympian).[34]

1996, Kate Schmidt (age 42) won the javelin at the Masters National Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Spokane, WA.[35]

Jo Ann Terry Grissom won the shot put at the 2003 meet.[36]

The 2009 Meet included Ed Burke, Dick Cochran, Trish Porter, and Karl Smith (Jamaica Olympian).[37][38]

Ed Burke, Kip Janvrin, Sunder Nix, Jason Rouser and Chris Williams (Jamaican Olympian) competed at the 2013 meet.[39][40]

Chaunté Lowe won the high jump at the July 2015 USA Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championship.[41]

Walter Dix won the 100 meter dash at the 2017 meet in 10.28.[42] Michelle Rohl and Jim Barrineau competed at the 2019 Ames, Iowa meet.[43]

Others

"The Freeze" of the Atlanta Braves (Durann Dunn) competed at the 2022 Meet.[44]

Competitors Charles Allie and Rita Hanscom received the male and female masters international athlete of the year awards from the IAAF in 2013 and 2009, respectively.[45][46]

Several former National Football League (NFL) football players have competed at this meet. NFL pro bowler Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and star sprinter, ran at the 2004 meet.[47] Others include Todd Christensen (2006), Henry Ellard (2014–2016),[48] Willie Gault (2003), Fred Jackson (2019),[49] and James Lofton (2001).[50]

Several notable individuals from politics have been involved with the Masters National Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Senator and ex-Stanford trackman Alan Cranston competed in the 100 yard dash at the 1969 meet.[51][52] Massachusetts RRCA State Representative Stephen Viegas competed at the 2012 meet.[53][54] In September 1970, Ken Carnine, winner of the 1970 discus throw and javelin throw events, was given the honor to present former President Richard Nixon a special medal for the President's support of Masters Track and Field competition.[55]

Chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, Daniel Aldrich, competed in several National Championships, with him remarking in the Los Angeles Times "My whole attitude about life and my general personal and physical characteristics are affected by my sports activities...but I’m certainly the best discus-throwing administrator in the country".[56] A predecessor in his former position as Chancellor of University of California, Santa Barbara, Vernon Cheadle held several age records in the shot put.[57]

Judge John Dobroth won the high jump at the 2010 meet.[58][59]

Centenarians that have competed at this meet include Orville Rogers (age 100 in 2018) and Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins (age 101 in 2017).[60][61]

Masters world champion and world record holder, Nolan Shaheed is a world class trumpet player. Shaheed has played with Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. For Shaheed the running and music has benefited each other.[62]

Media coverage

The Championships are webcast on usatf.tv, with several cameras around the venue and an announcer providing athlete introductions and live commentary.

The competition has often received national coverage focused on the oldest participants. 2018 medal winner, Orville Rogers (age 100) and his family were interviewed by The Washington Post, Fox News, ESPN, and CBS during the 2018 season.[63] The Washington Post also reported on the 2017 event, where at age 101 Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins became the oldest female to compete at the Masters National Outdoor Championship, setting a masters W100 meet record.[64]

Organizers of open class events have responded positively to the event, such as in 2009 Bob Weiner (USATF Masters Media Chair) stating "the event ran smoothly [and] was a spectacularly executed meet".[65]

The Honolulu Advertiser provided coverage of Harold Chapson's performance, who having had polio at age 5 became the 1976 Masters National Champion.[66][67]

Ames Tribune included an action picture of hurdlers Rita Hanscom, Kay Glynn (local resident), and Jo Phelps at the 2019 Championship.[68]

Runner Space reported that the 2021 Championship included 27 Masters American Records and five Masters World Records.[69]

Editions

Edition Location Date Ref
AAU
1968San Diego, CAJuly 19–21, 1968[70]
1969San Diego, CAJuly 3–6, 1969[71]
1970San Diego, CAJuly 2–5, 1970[72]
1971San Diego, CAJuly 2–4, 1971[73]
1972San Diego, CAJuly 1–3, 1972[74]
1973San Diego, CAJuly 6–8, 1973[75]
1974Gresham, OregonJuly 5–7, 1974[76]
1975White Plains, New YorkAug 8–10, 1975[77]
1976Gresham, OregonJuly 2–4, 1976[78]
1977Naperville, IllinoisJuly 1–3, 1977[79]
1978Atlanta, GAJuly 7–9, 1978[80]
1979Gresham, OregonJuly 6–8, 1979[81]
1980 & 1981 were transition years leaving the AAU
1980 TFAAtlanta, GAJune 14, 1980[82]
1980 TACPhiladelphia, PAJuly 4–6, 1980[83]
1981 TFAAtlanta, GAJune 13–14, 1981[84]
1981 TACLos Gatos, CaliforniaAug 15–16, 1981[85]
TAC
1982Wichita, KansasAug 6–8, 1982[86]
1983Houston, TXSept 16–18, 1983[87]
1984Eugene, OregonAug 17–19, 1984[88]
1985Indianapolis, INAug 23–25, 1985[89]
1986Uniondale, New YorkJul 18–20, 1986[90]
1987Eugene, OregonAug 14–16, 1987[91]
1988Orlando, FloridaAug 4–7, 1988[92]
1989San Diego, CAJuly 20–23, 1989[93]
1990Indianapolis, INAug 2–5, 1990[94]
1991Naperville, IllinoisJuly 4–7, 1991[95]
1992Spokane, WashingtonAug 13–16, 1992[96]
USATF 1993 to Present
1993Provo, UtahAug 11–14, 1993[97]
1994Eugene, OregonAug 11–14, 1994[98]
1995East Lansing, MichiganJuly 5–9, 1995[99]
1996Spokane, WashingtonAug 15–18, 1996[100]
1997San Jose, CaliforniaAug 7–10, 1997[101]
1998Orono, MaineJuly 30 – Aug 2, 1998[102]
1999Orlando, FloridaAug 26–29, 1999[103]
2000Eugene, OregonAug 10-13, 2000[104]
2001Baton Rouge, LouisianaJuly 25–28, 2001[105]
2002Orono, MaineAug 8–11, 2002[106]
2003Eugene, OregonAug 7–10, 2003[107]
2004Decatur, IllinoisAug 5–8, 2004[108]
2005Honolulu, HIAug 4–7, 2005[109]
2006Charlotte, North CarolinaAug 3–6, 2006[110]
2007Orono, MaineAug 2–5, 2007[111]
2008Spokane, WashingtonAug 7–10, 2008[112]
2009Oshkosh, WisconsinJuly 9–12, 2009[113]
2010Sacramento, CaliforniaJuly 22–25, 2010[114]
2011Berea, OhioJuly 28–31, 2011[115]
2012Lisle, IllinoisAug 2–5, 2012[116]
2013Olathe, KansasJuly 11–14, 2013[117]
2014Winston-Salem, North CarolinaJuly 17–20, 2014[118]
2015Jacksonville, FloridaJuly 23–26, 2015[119]
2016Allendale, MichiganJuly 14–17, 2016[120]
2017Baton Rouge, LouisianaJuly 13–16, 2017[121]
2018Cheney, WashingtonJuly 26–29, 2018[122]
2019Ames, IowaJuly 11–14, 2019[123]
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic---[124][125]
2021Ames, IowaJuly 22–25, 2021[126]
2022Lexington, KentuckyJuly 28–31, 2022[127]
2023Greensboro, NCJuly 20–23, 2023[128]
2024Sacramento, CAScheduled Jul 18-21, 2024[129]

2022

See also

References

  1. ↑ USATF International. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  2. ↑ USATF Masters Adds a ‘Pre-Masters’ Age Group for 25- to 29-Year-Old Runners. Runner's World (2020-05-15). Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  3. ↑ "MastersTrack.com News: David Pain: The Columbus of Masters Track". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2009-12-06. Masterstrack profile David Pain
  4. ↑ MastersTrack.com. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  5. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  6. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  7. ↑ Great Falls Tribune, June 13, 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  8. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  9. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  10. ↑ Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, July 14, 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  11. ↑ Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA, July 3, 1969. Retrieved Feb 10, 2021
  12. ↑ Sacramento Bee, July 5, 1970. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  13. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, Aug 8, 1988. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
  14. ↑ NMN Sept 1988, see Page 37. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
  15. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, Florida, Aug 7, 1988. Retrieved Jan 23, 2021
  16. ↑ National Masters News, Sept 1988. Retrieved Jan 23, 2021
  17. ↑ Missoulian, Missoula, Montana, Aug 12, 2003. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  18. ↑ Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin, July 13, 2009. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  19. ↑ PR Newswire, 2010. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
  20. ↑ Masters History, 2010 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
  21. ↑ NBC Sports, July 21, 2014. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021
  22. ↑ Stone, Ken (2019-01-01). Pro Track Star at Age 100? USATF Offers Travel Aid, Money for Medals at World Meet. Times of San Diego. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  23. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  24. ↑ USATF Bids. Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  25. ↑ Track Newsletter (Track and Field News) 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  26. ↑ Independent, Long Beach, CA, July 19, 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  27. ↑ Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, NY, July 22, 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  28. ↑ Spokesman Review, July 21, 1968. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  29. ↑ Ashbury Park Press, New Jersey, July 7, 1969. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  30. ↑ Sacramento Bee, July 4, 1970. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  31. ↑ Track Newsletter (Track and Field News) 1970. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  32. ↑ LA Times, July 23, 1989. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  33. ↑ Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, July 4, 1980. Retrieved Apr 27, 2021
  34. ↑ Masters History, 1994 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021
  35. ↑ 1996 Meet Results. Retrieved Mar 30, 2021
  36. ↑ Lexington Herald-Leader, Kentucky, Aug 9, 2003. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  37. ↑ Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin, Jul 9, 2009. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021
  38. ↑ Masters History, 2009 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021
  39. ↑ PR Newswire. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  40. ↑ Masters History, 2013 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  41. ↑ USATF TV> Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  42. ↑ The Advocate. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  43. ↑ Ames Tribune, July 11, 2019. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021
  44. ↑ USATF Jul 28, 2022. Retrieved Oct 7, 2022
  45. ↑ Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Honolulu, HI July 23, 2019. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  46. ↑ Times of San Diego, March 26, 2014. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  47. ↑ Herald Review, Decatur, IL, Aug 7, 2004. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  48. ↑ Greensboro News & Record, July 18, 2014. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021
  49. ↑ KTIV Channel 4. July 13, 2019. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021
  50. ↑ Indianapolis Star, Indiana, July 21, 2001. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021
  51. ↑ Ashbury Park Press, New Jersey, July 7, 1969. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  52. ↑ LA Times, July 3, 1969. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  53. ↑ RRCA. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  54. ↑ Masters History, 2012 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  55. ↑ Sacramento Bee, July 8, 1970. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  56. ↑ LA Times, Feb 6, 1972. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  57. ↑ http://mastershistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SAR-1990.pdf
  58. ↑ 2010 Meet Results. Retrieved Sept 29, 2021
  59. ↑ Army & Navy Academy. Retrieved Sept 29, 2021
  60. ↑ Masters History, 2018 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 28, 2021
  61. ↑ Masters History, 2017 Meet Results. Retrieved Jan 28, 2021
  62. ↑ Kansas City Star, Kansas City, MO, July 13, 2018. Retrieved Apr 27, 2021
  63. ↑ Spokesman Review, July 27, 2018 Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  64. ↑ Daily Press, Newport News, VA, July 17, 2017. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  65. ↑ Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin, July 13, 2009. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  66. ↑ Honolulu Advertiser, May 3, 1974. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  67. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, St Petersburg, FL, July 5, 1976. Retrieved Jan 16, 2021
  68. ↑ Ames Tribune, Jul 21, 2021. Retrieved Aug 4, 2021
  69. ↑ Runner Space, Jul 27, 2021. Retrieved Aug 4, 2021
  70. ↑ Track Newsletter, dated Aug. 1, 1968 by Track & Field News. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  71. ↑ Track Newsletter, dated July 24, 1969 by Track & Field News. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  72. ↑ Track Newsletter, dated Sept. 3, 1970 by Track & Field News. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  73. ↑ 1971 Track Results provide by meet host. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  74. ↑ 1971 Track Results provide by meet host. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  75. ↑ USMITT newsletter August 1973. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  76. ↑ USMITT newsletter August 1974. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  77. ↑ USMITT newsletter October 1975. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  78. ↑ USMITT newsletter September 1976. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  79. ↑ National Masters News 1977. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  80. ↑ National Masters News Winter 1978-1979. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  81. ↑ National Masters News 1979. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  82. ↑ National Masters News September 1980. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  83. ↑ National Masters News 1980. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  84. ↑ National Masters News 1981. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  85. ↑ National Masters News 1981. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  86. ↑ National Masters News 1982. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  87. ↑ National Masters News November 1983. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  88. ↑ National Masters News 1984. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  89. ↑ National Masters News Oct. 1985. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  90. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1986. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  91. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1987. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  92. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1988. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  93. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1989. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  94. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1990. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  95. ↑ National Masters News Aug. 1991. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  96. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1992. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  97. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1993. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  98. ↑ National Masters News Sept. 1994. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  99. ↑ National Masters News Aug. 1995. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  100. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 1, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  101. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  102. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  103. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  104. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  105. ↑ Masterstrack.com Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  106. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  107. ↑ Flash Results Jan. 6, 2008. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  108. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  109. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  110. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  111. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  112. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  113. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  114. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  115. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  116. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  117. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  118. ↑ USATF. Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  119. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  120. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  121. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  122. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  123. ↑ Track & Field History. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2020
  124. ↑ Runner Space, USATF Meet Cancelled. Retrieved Oct. 15, 2020
  125. ↑ USATF Announcement. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021
  126. ↑ USATF Masters Meet, Apr 8, 2021. Retrieved Apr 8, 2021
  127. ↑ USATF Masters, Jan 18, 2021. Retrieved Aug 1, 2022
  128. ↑ USATF meet web page. Retrieved Feb 16, 2023
  129. ↑ USATF Masters web page. Retrieved Nov 2, 2023

Further reading

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