News
Double Scott!
Fresh from his fantastic World 200m record in 21.71sec at the NIA in Birmingham on 6 February, Darren Scott (left) returned on 21 February to set a British M40 400m record in 49.35sec.
23/02/2010 11:31:00
World Record for Irie Hill
Irie Hill (right) has broken the W40 pole vault record, clearing 3.65m indoors in Sindelfingen on 29 January, the same venue where Carla Forcellini of Italy set the previous 3.60m mark at the first World Masters Indoor Championships in March 2004.
20/02/2010 18:17:07
Great Scott!
Darren Scott, Southern Counties Veterans AC, whizzed to a new World M40 200m record in a sizzling 21.71sec at the Birmingham Indoor Games on Saturday 6 February. Darren, the current European M35 Champion, erased the 21.94 mark set by Enrico Saraceni of Italy in Genoa, in 2005.
11/02/2010 14:21:33
Result Booklet from Lahti
We are advised by World Masters Athletics that an invoice is being circulated asking for a further payment of 25euros for the above, this should be ignored.
01/02/2010 16:55:59
WMA Indoor Championships
We have 42 male and 22 female members who have entered the World Masters Athletics Indoor and Non Stadia Championships in Kamloops, Canada, 1-6 March. We wish you all an enjoyable and successful journey. Your Team Manager is the BMAF Race Walking Secretary, John Hall.
29/01/2010 16:51:12
Dennis Withers 1927-2009
It is with great regret that we record the death of Dennis Withers on 21 December. Dennis was not only a top walker who won several World and European medals, but he was also the familiar Official who stood at the Start/Finish of the Road Relays guiding incoming and outgoing runners on each stage. He accepted and processed Team entries for years and acted as a Field Official at our other Championships on numerous occasions. May you rest in peace. Our condolence to Yvonne and his family.
The funeral is at Streetly Crematorium at 1.30 pm on 7th January, 2010, followed by a reception at Fairlawns, Aldridge. The family would like to be informed of those intending to go to the reception; this can be done via Beryl Randle 0121-329-3505.
23/12/2009 18:47:36
Brian Ariss 1938-2009
We are sorry to report the death of Brian Ariss (pictured here) of Midland Masters AC from cancer. Brian had recently written to Masters Athletics asking people to contact him if they wish, but friends and wellwishers are asked not to call his widow at this time.
15/12/2009 09:11:41
Bill Kingsbury announces retirement
At the recent Welsh Masters’ Annual Awards Dinner, Bill Kingsbury MBE, announced that he would be retiring from competition, and taking a much less active participation in the sport. Bill made it clear that for a number of reasons, not the least some serious health issues over the summer, he was bringing his participation in his beloved sport of Athletics to a close.
It is difficult to convey in a satisfactory manner exactly what Bill has contributed not only to Masters Athletics, but to Athletics in general, particularly in Wales and specifically to his beloved Rhondda AC. He has produced hundreds of Welsh Champions across all the age groups. However it is clear that from the very beginning of his sporting career as a ‘boy soldier’ and Army PTI, through the dozens of British Masters throwing records along the journey to his current 82 years of age, the nature and depth of the man’s knowledge, his determination, his dedication to his sport and particularly to those he coached, and specifically his belief in the integrity and respect that the athlete should display to others within the sport and to the sport of Athletics itself, were absolutely outstanding. He was particularly concerned that those in our sport should not only recognise special performances of excellence, but that they should also understand and respect the dedication and commitment that such athletes had to devote to their event in order to achieve that level of success. Behind his obvious geniality and natural ability to communicate with anyone, all of these core attributes always shone through
Bill Kingsbury is often described as a legend amongst those within the Welsh Masters fraternity, and within Welsh Athletics generally. While Bill himself might say that this description was inappropriate, as he was more interested in the successes of those around him, it is probably one that few within the sport in Wales would disagree with.
The above is taken from an appreciation of Bill that will appear in full in the March edition of Masters Athletics.
14/12/2009 16:25:09
British & Irish Masters International Cross Country & Open Race, Saturday 14 November.
Perry Park, adjacent to the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham, is the venue this Saturday for this great weekend as England plays hosts. The first race at 12.15 will see the top Women’s teams from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Rep. of Ireland and England and men age groups 65-plus run 3 circuits x 2km spectator-friendly course.
Last year’s silver medallist, Sarah Jarvis, will be hoping that the flatter course will enable her to lead the England W35-39 age group team to retain their title as Ireland are without Donna Mahon. Scotland is fielding a strong team with Claire Heasman, and Sharon Leech is included in the Welsh trio. England should have little difficulty in retaining the W40 race as their line up includes Kate Ramsey, Nikki Nealon, Jane Pidgeon and Caroline Hewitt. W45 Jane Clarke, England, M50 Mags Greenan, Ireland and W55 Susan Cooper, England, are all back to defend their individual titles. Multi record breaker, Angela Copson, should have little difficulty in doing so in the W60 race.
The men’s age group 35-39 race at 13.45 looks a cliff hanger. Will David Moorwood, who finished 30sec clear in the BMAF 5km track Championships in July be able to defend his crown here for N. Ireland? All five countries are fielding strong teams and an exciting 8km race is certain. Tim Hartley surprisingly is a reserve in the England team this year and the individual crown could go to Ireland’s Mick Traynor. M45 Ben Reynolds won the World Masters 5km track title in August and should add this race to his tally. Andy Wetherill is well known for his front running, this course should suit him, and local man Mike Hager should retain his M55 title. The Irish team are without last year’s M60 winner, Martin MCEvilly, and John Exley could repeat his 2007 win. Martin Ford is back in the England M65 team. Ex-international Jim McNamara comes into the Irish M70 team, but evergreen Fred Gibbs is likely to add to his laurels. Wales failed by just one point last year, can they lift the M70 team title this year?
Refreshments and changing facilities for all races are provided by the home club, Birchfield Harriers. The Open race starts at 14.30
10/11/2009 09:07:31
Alf Woods
It is with much sadness that we have learned of the death of Alf Woods of Epsom & Ewell AC after a year long battle with leukemia. He was 81.
Alf was an accomplished Shot Putter and thrower in his younger days and turned to the pole vault in later life.
He was still clearing 3 metres when he was 65 and became World Masters Champion in Buffalo in 1995.
He will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
26/10/2009 16:21:22
IAAF Changes about Masters
Change to IAAF Rule 141 will not affect World Masters Athletics or BMAF Competitions.
The new IAAF Competition Rules Book will record the recent change to the above, to read:
“Masters Men and Women: Any athlete who has reached his/her 35th birthday for stadia events and 40th birthday for out of stadia events.”
Please note this will not in any way affect our recruiting athletes who have reached their 35th birthday, they are most welcome to join any of our clubs. A 35-39 age category will be retained in our Championships and at all the World Masters Athletics Championships, including their Non Stadia events.
There are no changes to the men’s and women’s 35-39 age category in the British & Irish Masters International Cross County; the BMAF Cross Country Championships, the popular Road Relays or any other team event. The women’s team format remain unchanged.
14/10/2009 17:11:43
WMA Indoor Championships 2010
We have been in contact with the Local Organizing Committee in Kamloops regarding their accommodation booking. The new method through the Accommodation link on their website www.kamloops2010masters.com takes you to Tourism Kamloops. Tourism Kamloops, a government funded agency, provides a listing and contact information for all properties in Kamloops. Athletes will now be able to negotiate directly with the hotel properties about room deposits, length of stay, room type, etc. If you made a booking before mid September you should have received an email from the LOC. If you did not please contact them as soon as possible.
03/10/2009 20:43:11
Race Walking Road Show
UKA have a Race Walking Road Show in the Alexander Stadium on Sunday, 1 November, starting at 11.00 a.m. Everyone interested in Race Walking is invited to attend and there is a special invitation to potential new Judges to join UKA's Fast Track System. Other Agenda items include Update on IAAF Judging Rules, and have your say about the RWA B Rule. Refreshments provided. Contact: pmarlow@btinternet.com.
03/10/2009 20:40:31
Rules of Competition changes
The following changes were made at the World Masters Athletics General Assembly:
- The weight of the Women’s age groups 75-plus shot and hammer reduced from 3kg to 2kg (the BMAF is waiting for specifications from WMA).
- W75-plus discus is now 0.75kg.
- W75 weight throw now 4kg.
- Men 80-plus long hurdles reduced to 200m event with 5 (five) hurdles.
- Men 60-69 Outdoor and Indoor Hurdles distance “to 1st hurdle” changed to 12m.
- M60-69 60m hurdles (indoor) specifications now are:
Height .840 Number of hurdles 5. Distance to 1st 12m. Distance between 8m. To Finish 16m.
29/09/2009 11:38:10
Some Amendments to the Constitution and Bye-Laws
WMA Anti Doping Rules accepted. New Bye-Law 3.3.3 (They were published on the BMAF and WMA web sites in Draft form for months).
The updated WMA Age Grading tables, as proposed on the WMA web site, adopted for WMA use effective May 1, 2010.
29/09/2009 11:37:20
Health Insurance
Following a report from our Race Walking Secretary in which one of our athletes was taken ill in Poznan I would like to emphasise the importance of members travelling regardless of whether competing or not, to have an EHIC, (European Health Insurance Card) you may be entitled to medical care at reduced cost or sometimes free. Your entitlement will vary based on whether you are going to an European Economic Area country (EEA) or elsewhere in the world. It is also advisable to have travel insurance and possible medical cover in case. Details for applications etc for the EHIC are below.
EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
Contact
For queries relating to your application or this website you should contact us. The Department of Health should be contacted for all other queries.
By Telephone. 0845 605 0707 or if calling from abroad +44 191 212 7500.
by Post. EHIC Enquiries, PO Box 1114, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 2TL
By E-Mail. https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do.
Details taken from the Department of Health website.
Winston Thomas
13/12/2008 11:25:41
Earlier news items
If you have some news you wish to pass on to masters athletes, send an email to webmaster@bvaf.org.uk.