#mastersathletics

[hutz224]

Bathurst Masters Championships preview part 1

It is less than two weeks to the World Cross Country Championships and to date attention has been focused on the open races, especially in Australian circles and rightly so, because the team of McSweyn, Caldwell, Hoare and Hull is a genuine medal chance in the 4 x 2km relay event.

But for older athletes, there is excitement surrounding the Masters events being held in conjunction with the Open championships. Holding the two events at the same time and venue is a new idea. Until now, Masters athletes were used to finding cross country races scheduled for the first day of the World Masters Track & Field Championships held every two years. This was odd scheduling, because running a tough cross country is far from an ideal preparation for track racing. It did, however, guarantee strong fields, which unfortunately can't be said for Bathurst. There are very few overseas entrants for the races, probably because for northern hemisphere residents, it's an awfully long way to travel for a 6k or 4k race, plus perhaps a 2k relay. The 100 Euro entry fee probably hasn't helped! But despite the disappointing roll up of foreign runners, there will be some great racing across the age groups. There are some world famous names among the entries such as Moneghetti, Creighton, Stanton, Froude (NZ) and Robinson (NZ).

So let's look at the age groups 40+ and 45+, with apologies to the 35+ athletes, who I'm leaving out because I think that 35-39 is far too young to be considered a "Master" of anything! For present purposes, I'm ignoring the 4 x 2k relay events because pairings are as yet unknown.

The men's 40+ 6k race has the highest number of foreign entrants of any race on the program with six countries plus Australia being represented. The strongest overseas competition will likely come from Ben Bruce (USA), who is an elite steeplechaser and ran 2:27 in last year's Boston Marathon, and is the clear favourite to win. Shane Grund from Victoria has been in sparkling form of late (14:49 for 5000m in 2022) and will be close to the front. NSW runner Russell Dessaix-Chin is another elite runner, but current form is unknown. Victoria's Steve Dinneen (Vic) will give it everything and is a strong podium chance. Sweden's Martin Kjall-Ohlsson is another runner to watch. The women's 40+ field looks comparatively weak. April Lund from the USA is the standout with times of 35:19 for 10000m and 1:19.51 for a half marathon last year and should make it a USA double. Nicole Joseph (Vic) is a former Australian W40 5000m champion, but has been quiet since her win in 2019. The form of the other W40 competitors is similarly unknown.

The M45 race is going to be a beauty, with several runners in similar form. I like Paul Mulholland from South Australia, who ran 15:43/9:19 for 5k/3k in the SA Masters Champs in March 2022. Julian Marsh (once Victoria, now living in California) ran 32:55 for 10k just yesterday, so he will fancy his chances. Nick Moore (NZ) has a similar 10k time from 2021. Jeff Chaseling from NSW had some very fast times from 3000m to the marathon in 2021, but not much since. Any one of these four runners could take the chocolates. Nathan Crowley (Vic) will be better suited to the 2k relay. It is a shame that neither Sinead Diver nor Belinda Martin will be there to dominate the W45 race, but I guess the other women will be glad of that. Again the women's field looks much softer than the men's, with only two overseas entrants. Anna Kasapis (Vic) is in brilliant form, and although 6k will stretch her, I think she will win. Another Anna will be prominent - Anna Thompson Munro (Vic) is a five times World Cross Country representative for Australia. Mainly based on their 1500m times, Katie Siebold (Vic), Melissa Oloyede (ACT) and Kriszta Kovacs (NSW) are all podium chances.

I am sure that some of my highly educated readers will have other insights into the chances of the various competitors in the 40+ and 45+ races, and I welcome any comments that readers may have. Otherwise, stay tuned for part 2 of this blog sequence, where I will preview the 50+ and 55+ events.

P.S. Thanks to Scott Lawrence for his help with the statistics.

#cross country #world championship #mastersathletics #distance running #fitness #longdistancerunning

[peterbromley]

MERRY BOXING DAY SUNSET . . . . . #sunset #novascotia #prospectpoint #ocean #christmastree #sublime #peace #evening #dusk #Monday #dogwalking #mastersathlete #runner #trailrunner #peaceofmind #redsky #december #halifax #atlanticocean #shotoniphone #spontanaiety (at Clearlight Evolution) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpbcHyO6mz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#sunset #novascotia #prospectpoint #ocean #christmastree #sublime #peace #evening #dusk #monday #dogwalking #mastersathlete #runner #trailrunner #peaceofmind #redsky #december #halifax #atlanticocean #shotoniphone #spontanaiety

[biggdavet-blog]

Awesome job @crossfitlaketravis Can’t wait for y’all to crush it!! Woohoo. #MAD Posted @withregram • @crossfitlaketravis Head Coach Karli, Coach Cheyenne and Marissa are ready to have some fun with Quarterfinals! It all starts March 16th for Cheyenne and March 31st for Karli and Marissa! Let’s go! 💪🏼 . . #crossfitgames #crossfit #crossfitlaketravis #quarterfinals #crossfitteens #crossfitmasters #mastersathlete #crossfitgirls #madathlete https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvifwPJ-_h/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#mad #crossfitgames #crossfit #crossfitlaketravis #quarterfinals #crossfitteens #crossfitmasters #mastersathlete #crossfitgirls #madathlete

[jekyllhydeapparel]

Congrats to @coachbosh for qualifying for the next round and moving onto the semi finals! www.jekyllhydeapparel.com . . #functionalfitness #mastersathlete #jekyllhyde #garagegym #hwpo https://www.instagram.com/p/CdbQkGPOXen/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#functionalfitness #mastersathlete #jekyllhyde #garagegym #hwpo

[vaultermagazine]

@albatrossarms_ ・ Took advantage of the summer like temperatures and visited @summit_vault this morning. Great experience, wonderful coach and athletes willing and open to learn. 5⭐'s! Pretty happy with this position on my one arm drill as well. 😉 #marylandpolevaulting #polevaulter @vaultermagazine #masterathlete #road2wma20 #mastersathletics https://www.instagram.com/p/B2-tkNVHr_0/?igshid=9rt0r7avogje

#marylandpolevaulting #polevaulter #masterathlete #road2wma20 #mastersathletics

[lllypp1979]

🎊It's my 1yr membership anniversary at @unit4cfp today!🎊 Super grateful for the awesome community I'm part of. The owners and coaches @heatster7 and @jords1992 have created a wonderful space with quality coaching the priority. I can honestly say I've improved massively this last 12months 🤸‍♀️🏋️‍♀️💪 Rest day today but back to it tomorrow, 6am....CAN'T WAIT!!! 📸@yogaandphoto (This was an epic partner workout with @jeedanouri on my recent @morelifeadventures weekend 😍) #morelifeadventures #CrossfitPreston #crossfitwanker #lean #shreddsville #rpdiet #fitover40 #mastersathlete https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJFmdmAk6T/?utm_medium=tumblr

#morelifeadventures #crossfitpreston #crossfitwanker #lean #shreddsville #rpdiet #fitover40 #mastersathlete

[originalgladiatorcollective]

Reposted from @imgamastersgames ⠀ 🙎‍♀‍ Edwina Brocklesby 🗓 76 📍 England 🏃‍♀‍ Triathlete Edwina Brocklesby wasn’t active until she hit 50. By 53, she had run her first marathon. 5 years later, she completed her first triathlon. Now aged 76, Edwina is the UK’s oldest Ironman triathlete and was recently awarded the British Empire Medal. 🏅 Masters sport has helped improve her physical health, but also her mental health. Following the loss of her husband, running proved better than counselling for dealing with her grief. Having enjoyed the benefits Masters sport, she’s now actively promoting physical activity among ageing people as the director of the charity Silverfit. Incredible stuff, Edwina. 👏 📸 Pal Hansen/The Observer #MastersMotivation #MondayMotivation #IMGA #masterssport #masters #mastersathletes #masterstogether #stayactive #stayfit #fitover50 #masterstriathlete https://www.instagram.com/p/CM-tea4josE/?igshid=lix8m7ogupnf

#mastersmotivation #mondaymotivation #imga #masterssport #masters #mastersathletes #masterstogether #stayactive #stayfit #fitover50 #masterstriathlete

[myfantasticforties]

Not sure why I felt compelled to share this today, but I do, so I am 😁 • Photos taken seconds apart. I didn’t take these with the intent of posting, I just wanted to see the difference. • • We have all seen this type of post: unflexed vs flexed, unposed vs posed, reality vs Instagram... Take 20 selfies, different poses, different angles, flex, use the lighting, pick your favorite and share. There is nothing wrong with that. Post that shit and be proud! It’s not fake. It’s showing your hard work in the best light. The only problem is if you scroll through social media and forget that everyone is doing the same thing. • • I love Instagram ❤️ I love sharing my journey, my struggles, my wins, my sometimes insane thoughts. I hope that I can provide a bit of inspiration, and humor, be a light in this world, and spread love. I love following your journeys, cheering for and supporting you, and am motivated by you everyday! • • But it is easy to get sucked into the “ideal” we see here. From amazing bodies, dream vacations, immaculate homes, and well behaved children. As someone whose life feels like chaos 99% of the time, it’s easy to think everyone else has their shit together. But we are all fighting our own unique battles. So remember, be kind to others, be kind to yourself! • • Enough rambling... happy #flexfriday #unflexedvsflexed #fitnesslifestyle #fitmom #fitfam #crossfit #strong #strongissexy #fitover40 #40isthenew20fit #mastersathlete #beautifullybadass #unapologeticallyme #myfantasticforties #builtbykinslowandscience https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Z0kBZj_7O/?igshid=12vzu2c2vlyk9

#flexfriday #unflexedvsflexed #fitnesslifestyle #fitmom #fitfam #crossfit #strong #strongissexy #fitover40 #40isthenew20fit #mastersathlete #beautifullybadass #unapologeticallyme #myfantasticforties #builtbykinslowandscience

[electrikbarz]

Everything comes in time. Consistency is the most important aspect of this game. You just gotta keep going 💀 • Being consistent is not only about showing up either. It’s about constantly reminding yourself why you started this journey 🤔 • All in all, one has to be willing to give up things that don’t contribute to one’s aspirations. Sacrifice for glory 😤 • Athletes: @fitlikesosa @luissotogym @hector_vilchez 💪🏽 • #athlete #athletics #athletes #athletictraining #athletic #athleticperformance #athletelife #athletemotivation #athleticism #athleticfitness #athleteslife #fitnessathlete #barathlete #strengthathlete #mastersathlete (at Miramar, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFaMaHPpb5U/?igshid=a6ojmu4r601r

#athlete #athletics #athletes #athletictraining #athletic #athleticperformance #athletelife #athletemotivation #athleticism #athleticfitness #athleteslife #fitnessathlete #barathlete #strengthathlete #mastersathlete

[20sidedfitness]

Spending the weekend watching the Jedi Master in action! Mike was one of my coaches when I first transitioned from athlete to coach. Always surround yourself with people full of dedication, drive, and knowledge. Getting older is something I struggle with, but I need to not use it as an excuse to stagnate. #crossfitsanctionals #strengthindepth2020 #mastersathlete #londoncalling #ageisnottheenemy (at 2020 CrossFit Strength in Depth) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7x8kNknf7J/?igshid=1dv7rblh122rr

#crossfitsanctionals #strengthindepth2020 #mastersathlete #londoncalling #ageisnottheenemy

[hutz224]

World Masters Cross Country Championships preview part 4

With statistical assistance from Scott Lawrence 

With just one sleep to go until the 2k relay and two sleeps to the individual Sunday races, let's have a brief look at the 70+, 75+ and 80+ age categories. These groups compete over a shorter distance - 4k as opposed to 6k - and the fields are predictably smaller, but the rivalry will be just as strong.

The M70 field features two athletes with vastly different backgrounds, but impeccable distance running credentials. John Bermingham (NT) won two world championshipship gold medals in Finland last year (1500m and 10k road) and will start as favourite. Yassine Belaabed has set a string of Victorian M70 distance records over the last year and will keep John honest. Hard to prdict who will follow these two runners home - perhaps former Olympian Chris Wardlaw (Vic) or Ron Schwebel (NSW). 

(L to R) Bermingham, Belaabed, Schwebel

There are only two W70 entrants, so both are guaranteed to win a medal! Canadian Thelma Wright may have the edge over Heather Powrie (NSW).You will understand why I make this suggestion if you look up Thelma’s Wikipedia entry. She is one of the all-time greats of Canadian distance running. In 1970, she won a bronze medal in the open age World Cross Country Championships in France. It is wonderful to see her in Australia for this event 43 years later.

There are five entries in the M75 event, all Aussies. Frank Scorzelli (NSW) has recently run 22:01 for parkrun so he will start as clear favourite. Phillip Urquhart (Vic) is extremely well known in Masters ranks as a former President of AMA. The form of the other three runners is unknown. There are no W75 entries.

(L to R) Scorzelli, Urquhart

There are six 80+ entries, three men and three women, which is well organised by them because, as long as they finish, they will all get to stand on the podium. One name among them is famous, very famous. New Zealander Roger Robinson has so many great achievements in the sport that it would fill several pages to list them all. We can be sure that he will come to the event very well prepared and I’m nominating him as the likely M80 winner. Caroline Campbell (ACT) is a 1500m bronze medallist from the World Masters T & F Champs in 2018 and she will battle it out with Myrtle Rough, who was recently named the New Zealand masters middle distance athlete of the year. Roger and Myrtle should easily win the 80+ 2k relay.

(L to R) Robinson, Myrtle

Finally, and what a way to end this series of race previews, we have the oldest man in the field and the only 85+ entrant, Lachlan Lewis. He will win.

#mastersathletics #worldmastersathletics #world championship #cross country running #cross country #distance running #health #fitness #bathurst

[peterbromley]

FOR YOUR CONTEMPLATION Astonishingly beautiful. (Posted originally by one of the greatest sages, healers and therapists I know, Vicky Aartsen. I am lucky to call her a friend). Peter Bromley . . . . . @vickyaartsen #river #ocean @_gibran_khalil_gibran #peace #peaceofmind #mentalhealth #ptsd #success #selfawareness #selfknowledge #culture #leadership #mastersathlete #awareness #healing #therapy #compassion #humility #highperformance (at Clearlight Evolution) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqQGxo8OLoV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#river #ocean #peace #peaceofmind #mentalhealth #ptsd #success #selfawareness #selfknowledge #culture #leadership #mastersathlete #awareness #healing #therapy #compassion #humility #highperformance

[biggdavet-blog]

Dude!! What a day for the #madcrew. First @designeral hits a state record deadlift. Then @laceduplaurenp hits this #185 snatch and it flies up!!! #superstrong. The superstrong program makes people freaks!!!!! Way to go Lo! 200 is around the corner!!!! Woohoo! #mad #mastersathlete #girlswholift #snatch #crossfit #fitness #olympiclifting (at CrossFit 2222) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFDjJ2TgRCE/?igshid=swxte2nf29xu

#madcrew #185 #superstrong #mad #mastersathlete #girlswholift #snatch #crossfit #fitness #olympiclifting

[onnoheerlien]

Wat een schitterende show gaven deze mannen gisteren in Hengelo! Anderson Peters, Julian Weber en Keshorn Walcott! Bedankt mannen! Veel succes in Eugene en tot volgend jaar! #roadtoeugene #roadtoeugene2022 #javelinthrow #javelinthrower #throws #groningenatletiek #atletiek #thethrowerfam #throwersuniverse #throwholics #thrower #throwernation #throwers #throwersunite #throwersworld #mastersathlete #throwingislife #norg #javelin #javelinworld #javelin_throw #javelinthrowers (at FBK Stadion) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cef1RGLI3od/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#roadtoeugene #roadtoeugene2022 #javelinthrow #javelinthrower #throws #groningenatletiek #atletiek #thethrowerfam #throwersuniverse #throwholics #thrower #throwernation #throwers #throwersunite #throwersworld #mastersathlete #throwingislife #norg #javelin #javelinworld #javelin_throw #javelinthrowers

[everlasting-fitness]

Registrations are rolling in for the best Masters comp in the area! Don’t miss out 35+ Only!! . #Repost @mid_atlantic_masters_classic ・・・ We are back for year 3! Hope to see you November 16th! Registration is live! . . #mamc #masters #crossfitmasters #mastersathlete #ageisjustanumber #betterwithage #testyourfitness #compete #competition (at Crossfit Everlasting) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1xSWy4Bwx4/?igshid=9d4bm35ruap6

#repost #mamc #masters #crossfitmasters #mastersathlete #ageisjustanumber #betterwithage #testyourfitness #compete #competition

[boosterfitness-blog]

FOLLOW ❤️ @BOOSTER.FITNESS ❤️ FOLLOW ❤️ @BOOSTER.FITNESS ❤️ FOLLOW ❤️ @BOOSTER.FITNESS ❤️ We don’t just make the bars, we throw them around too! #theoriginalsweetpotatoproteinbar #usaw #officialbarofusaw #usaweightlifting #2xmoreproteinthansugar #nosugaralcohols #nostevia #collagen #collagenprotien #mastersathletes #fitnessgoals #fitness #Healthy #Gym #protein #proteinbars #grassfed #glutenfree #muscleupbars #wheyprotein #sweetpotato #nutrition #wod #lowcarb #lowsugar #healthysnack https://www.instagram.com/p/B07VtjYHOlB/?igshid=kt8e7wd2m0g2

#theoriginalsweetpotatoproteinbar #usaw #officialbarofusaw #usaweightlifting #2xmoreproteinthansugar #nosugaralcohols #nostevia #collagen #collagenprotien #mastersathletes #fitnessgoals #fitness #healthy #gym #protein #proteinbars #grassfed #glutenfree #muscleupbars #wheyprotein #sweetpotato #nutrition #wod #lowcarb #lowsugar #healthysnack