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November 2011 News

November 29American Regionals invite for MAWA members

Bill McCackin (Canadian Masters) has sent an open invite to us for the North American Regional Masters Championships next August. Officially the NCCWMA championships (North-Central American, Caribbean and Canadian Masters T & F Championships), they take place from August 9-12, 2012 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. More details on the website click here.

November 276-hour relay postponed by a week

Owing to the extreme weather conditions forecast for next Saturday (up to 40 degrees) the 6-hour relay has been postponed to the following Saturday, December 10. All other arrangements are the same. Follow the latest news on the relays button on the top menu.

November 25Patron's Trophy throwing events schedule

The discus and hammer cage at ECAC is still no nearer to being ready to use. It is therefore very unlikely that these events will take place at ECAC in the trophy as scheduled. Shot put has already taken place, and the javelin trophy event will take place as scheduled on December 8 at ECAC.

It has been agreed that those competitors who wish to do the discus throw may use the Strive discus event at WAAS on December 9. (Note the date, it is December 9, not December 2 as advised last night at ECAC).

In order to compete at the Strive meet, you must be registered with AWA, see their website for details of how to do this: click here. The usual Strive fee of $10 for Masters applies for the evening's competition. You can enter as many events as you like on that evening for this fee. There is a 2km steeplechase in the same programme.

November 24Lyn Ventris is honoured by the athletics world in Monte Carlo

Lyn Ventris has received her IAAF World Masters athlete of the year award in Monte Carlo. We are indebted to husband John for some wonderful photos recording this memorable evening at the IAAF Gala Dinner last week. You can view these in the track photo gallery click here.

November 24Tuesday November 29 at WAAS

VenuesWest will not have cleared the stadium after the Saturday concert, so the scheduled programme for the night is cancelled. However, Barrie Kernaghan will be running a couple of informal ‘Beep Sessions’, one at 6pm and another, for those who arrive late, at 6.30pm. This is a training session which involves running sets of 20m a certain number of times. You start off at walking pace and get faster and faster with each set. If you don’t complete before the ‘Beep’ you’re out! Could be fun – and good training.

November 20"Sunday runs not fair to walkers" claim

The new Garvey Lakes run today replaced the Garvey Gallop for safety reasons (principally that the 'rickety bridge' was a danger to walkers). There were a number of complaints to today's race directors that the new course is not walker-friendly. Compounding this problem, the run comes after three other runs in the past four weeks which are on more difficult terrain. John is working with other race directors to re-arrange the programme for next year so that these runs considered walker-unfriendly do not come so close together. Bear in mind that any programme changes will need committee approval after being agreed by the race directors concerned.

November 19Entries open for the Nationals 2012 in Melbourne

The AMA announces that entries are now open for the Melbourne Masters National Championships. These will take place as usual over the Easter weekend, 6-9 April, 2012. Download an entry form click here.

November 14Ursula Clark-Murphy wins battle of the ladies

After much deliberation by the ajudicators, the tense delay was broken with the news that Ursula Clark-Murphy is the proud winner of the prestigious Cliff Bould Trophy for 2011. Club patron, 90+ year-old running legend John Gilmour spoke to the contestants before the race and then proceeded to his marshalling point by the Causeway. Ursula won in a close finish with Kim Cook.

November 13MAWA's first 6-hour relay set for December 3

There will be an inaugural 6-hour team relay on Saturday December 3 at the Yokine Reserve, Wordsworth Avenue, Menora; timing is 7am to 1pm. Teams of six will run a relay around what will probably be a 2km loop. Currently it looks as though there will be at least four teams, including a walking team. Updates will appear regularly on the new page dedicated to fixed-time relays, accessed via the relays button on the top menu.

November 13Big increase in Patron's Trophy numbers this year

Your Thursday evening T&F analyst reflects on a resurgence of interest in the Patron's Trophy this season. From a low of 13 members completing ten trophy events last year, it looks as though this could be well over 20 this season. Read the full analysis each week on the T&F results page.

November 12Pan-Pacific Masters Games on again in 2012

We have received advance notice that the Pan-Pac Masters Games will be held on the Gold Coast again as usual in 2012. Dates are 3-11 November, with the athletics section on 3-5 November. More details from the athletics convenors of the games, Alf and Karen Larkin ( aks1963@live.com.au ).

November 9Changes to WAAS Tuesday programme

There is a Stevie Nicks concert at WAAS on Saturday November 26. This necessitates changes to the programme on November 29, because of the clearing up of the stadium after the concert. The Patron's Trophy 5000m will be next Tuesday, November 15. Programme becomes 400m, 60m, 200m, 5000m. The triple jump was also scheduled for November 29. This will now take place on December 13.

November 8Scott Tamblin smashes M30 3000m record

At the Strive Interclub last Friday, Scott Tamblin (M30) broke the state 3000m record by a distance. His first serious run of the season showed that he has the potential to lower both this and the 800m marks to newer lows still. Scott was previously coached by our own Margaret Saunders. Whilst working with Margaret he set a new Australian 800m M30 record last season. For report and all Friday's results click here.

November 5Maps of all our Sunday runs on your website

Jim Klinge has done a fantastic job over the past twelve months of committing all our Sunday run routes to pdf files in glorious colour . These are the maps you see each Sunday as an A3 printout. As part of our continuing commitment to providing members with a full service, the committee has arranged for these to be available on the website. This process began today - all the maps will be uploaded within a few days. To view the progress click here.

October 2011 News

October 19Mark Elms wins Dardanup 550 pro-race

Mark Elms is $1000 richer and has a gold medal with celebration sash after winning the Dardanup 550m handicap last weekend. He joines an elite band of MAWA members that have won pro-races (Lynne Choate, Norm Richards are two in recent times). Watch the race on YouTube click here.

October 19Hale School - GOT Run photos are available

Vic Waters was not only the Race Director on Sunday at Hale School, he wielded his camera as the field came through the end of lap 1. 66 photos, the whole field at least once, appear in these. Vic has made them avaialble for all, as his the nature of the man. You can view/download them either individually or as a slideshow, on Picasa Web Albums click here.

October 17MAWA is on Facebook

A closed group has been set up on Facebook for members to use. You can post comments, read news, swap info with other members using this facility. Recent items have included how folk have enjoyed Sunday runs (or not), training tips, medical advice, Lyn Ventris' amazing feats, photos and others. The group allows multi-way communication as opposed to the one-way sources like Vetrun, the website and TFNL. For those not already in this group but wanting to join, download the easy instructions click here.

October 16Chris Reid & Delia Baldock take the trophies home

It was more difficult than ever to guess your time at Hale School this year, with the sudden rise in temperature. Closest guess, and therefore main trophy winner, in the three-lap race was Chris Reid, whilst Delia Baldock took the two-lap race trophy back to the hills. Was it you that realised after you walked home from Hale School today that you had driven to the GOT Run? If so, give Vic Waters a ring on 9341 3464 - he has your car keys. For the run report and results click here.

October 14Entry for Oceania Champs in Tauranga simplified

AMA has arranged a simplified process for those Australian athletes entering for Oceania 2012 in Tauranga next February. OMA secretary Bob Schickert has issued a document explaining the process click here .

October 13THREE World records for Lyn Ventris in Adelaide

Further to the world record reported earlier, we can now report that Lyn Ventris broke three W55 world records/bests in six days in Adelaide. It was the 5000m track walk on Friday, 3000m track walk on Saturday and the 10km road walk on Wednesday. Amazing stuff! Full results are on the track results page - click here .

October 11Gold Medal Rush in Adelaide for MAWA

The Australian Masters Games this year are being held in Adelaide. The road and cross-country events are still to come, but track & field has finished with our 8 athletes involved in a huge medal haul, including a new world record (tbc) for World Masters Athlete of the Year Lyn Ventris. Geoff Bailey, Marty Campbell, Rudy Kocis, Tom Gravestock, Bjorn Dybdahl, Rob Young and Tom Gravestock all joined Lyn in the medals. Full results are on the track results page - click here .

October 6WAAS Tuesday meetings - President's clarification

Club President Barbara Blurton has discussed with Venues West authorities the situation regarding use of the track by other groups. We do not have exclusive use of the track unless we pay a fee of $800 per session. This means that there must be co-operation between the groups using the facilities. Read the full text of Barbara's statement. click here .

October 5Photos of Lyn Ventris and Greg Urbanowicz

Russ Dickenson (20km walk) and Graeme Dahl (10km) have kindly provided two photographs of the IAAF Masters Athlete of the Year, Lyn Ventris. These are available to view/download from the track gallery, available via the link below. There are also two new photos from the AMA Winter Throws competition, held over east last weekend, showing Greg Urbanowicz with javelin and weight throw. These were taken by Jan Banens and Phil Frkovic. click here .

October 4Athletics poems from Christine Oldfield

Christine Oldfield often turns to verse when inspired by events. Over the past four years she has written a number of athletics-related odes. Most of these have been published in either Vetrun or TFNL. The collection is now available on the website for you to download. click here .

October 2Lyn Ventris is IAAF Masters female athlete of the year

Each year the IAAF, in consultation with WMA, selects the Masters athletes of the year - one male and one female. Lyn Ventris, our world champion race-walker, has been announced as the winner for 2011. Ron Robertson of New Zealand won the men's award. Lyn will be invited to the IAAF's gala dinner in Monaco this November to receive her award. For full coverage of this achievement, see the November issue of TFNL.

October 1Whiteman Park photos added to Road Gallery

A selection of photographs from September's Whiteman Park run has been added to the gallery. Sandra Rourke made most of these available for viewing and download, with those at the start of the run provided by Vic Waters. As always, we are very grateful for photographers' generosity. Vic's skills are evident on the road results page too!

September 2011 News

September 30Interim Club Tops - best performances of the winter season

At the end of each T&F year (April) Club Tops pulls together the best performances in each age group for every championship event. With the winter season just ended, the interim version is now available on the results page of your website. click here - As usual, if you feel there is an error in the database, please let the database compiler (John Oldfield) know. Either send me an email or use the Contacts button above.

September 27Boris Padovan is MAWA's star in Freo Half

Boris Padovan stole the MAWA plaudits in Sunday's Fremantle Half Marathon, finishing 9th overall in a 650-strong field. His time of 1:19:32 gave him the M35 top time by some distance. Other age-group winners were Shirley Bell (W60, 2:02:04), Loretta Shillinglaw (W65, 2:31:22) and Cecil Walkley (M80, 2:50:22). Cecil pushed his old friend Bob Hayres into 2nd place in the M80s by just over 6 minutes. Well done to all who ran.

September 23Summer Track and Field programme released

The new T&F season starts on October 4. Highlights of this season's programme include the Patron's Trophy (starting on October 20), parallel meetings at WAAS (6pm Tuesday, track and jumps only) and ECAC (6pm Thursday, throws also). The relays carnival, pentathlon and age-graded throwers competition start in January and the state championships in March. Download the programme via the link, bottom right on the home page.

September 19Karen/Peter March retain Dick Horsley Trophy

The Dick Horsley Trophy is one of our most unusual awards. It is won by the husband and wife (or to be pc this is now 'partners') whose aggregate time is the best in the Darlington Dash 7km and 14km run. It was won this year, as in 2010, by the dynamic Marches. The full results are on the road results page, and a run report is available here

September 14Entries are open for Oceania Championships

Many of our successful team from the Worlds in Sacramento are planning their next trip, this time to the Oceania Masters Championships next February. These regional championships take place in alternate years, the intervening years from the Worlds. The 2012 event is at Tauranga, Pay of Plenty, New Zealand from 5-12 February. Entries close on December 15 so you still have time to make your plans. For full details of the championships, accommodation and entries, Click here

September 14Lyn Ventris nominated for IAAF Masters Athlete of Year

The Oceania region nominates a male and female athlete each year for the coveted IAAF Masters Athlete of the Year awards. Our own Lyn Ventris has been put forward for this year's award. Kiwi Ron Robertson is the male nominee from the region. For the OMA press release Click here

August 2011 News

August 31City to Surf Results

The results for the full and half marathons are now on the results page. Unfortunately the 14,500 results for the 12km race are not sortable by club, so it is a mammoth task to extract. See the perthnow website for full results.

August 9Four silvers for Kaj Dewens in Swedish Nationals

Remember Kaj Dewens? Our Swedish MAWA member is back in Scandinavia and competed in the Swedish Masters Nationals over last weekend. Silver medals in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m record a highly successful championships for Kaj. The full results will be on our T and F results page with tonight's WAAS results as soon as received.

August 4Sacramento stars return to ECAC

Several of our medal-winning contingent returned to the track at the Ern Clark Athletics Centre tonight. David Carr, multiple medallist in Sacramento, was quite naturally easing himself back into the track, but Carol Bowman and Nick Miletic each set some new season's highs on their welcome return. Congratulations also, if somewhat belated, to Maurice Creagh. Maurice joined the ranks of the illustrious M65s in June, but this has only just been observed by the statisticians. We look forward to some good PBAs in the coming weeks. Tonight's full results are available by the results button on the T&F menu.

July 2011 News

July 28Tuesday track meets to stay at WAAS

Track athletes will be pleased to hear that Tuesday evening meetings will continue to be held at the WA Athletics Stadium throughout the summer season. The MAWA committee has been working hard to reach a solution to this thorny issue since the UWA authorities announced that the long-standing arrangements at McGillivray would have to change. WAAS will be available for track and jumps on a Tuesday evening. The throws will continue on Thursdays only at ECAC in Cannington, with a car pool arrangement being made for northern suburbs throwers. See August's Vetrun for more details.

July 28Catholic Schools will pay officials at September carnivals

The Catholic Schools athletics carnivals season takes place during September. As usual, they have put out a call for officials. Hours are 8 am-2.15 pm, and they pay a minimum of $100 to each official. Further details on the attached flyer Click here

July 16It's Official - Richard Blurton's formal announcement to AMA

Following 12 months of work by the Perth Bid Committee I am pleased to announce that in Sacramento today at the WMA General Assembly Perth won the right to stage the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships. The General Assembly had earlier decided to change the Stadia Championships to even years from 2016. Lyon (France) was awarded the 2015 Championships. A lot of people have contributed to getting the bid together and it is a very positive result for Australian Masters Athletics. The LOC looks forward to delivering the best ever World Masters Athletic Championships. Richard Blurton (Head of Perth 2016 LOC)

July 15The World comes to Perth in 2016

The worlds are coming to Perth in 2016. After missing out on the 2015 bid, the AGM voted on a motion to change to even numbered years (i.e. 2016 instead of 2017). Perth beat the Polish challenge by 68-53. Celebrations through the night in Sacramento!

July 15Perth loses out in 2015 bid

The writing was on the wall after the first vote. It was always going to be Europe after two successive championships in other continents (2011 and 2013), and Lyon beat Perth on the second vote 72-59.

July 15Almost dead heat on first vote

In Sacramento there are 132 votes to be cast. On the first ballot it's France 48, Perth 47, with 37 for Poland. Poland is eliminated. Second vote under way.

July 10Vale Bill Chapman

Wilfred (Bill) Chapman: 19/4/1924 - 14/06/2011

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Wilfred Chapman, usually known as Bill. Bill was a champion thrower, competing regularly in our state championships over many years. He is remembered as a larger-than-life character, full of jokes and often entertaining his fellow competitors with his repertoire of funnies. Also a champion weightlifter, Bill was a Master to be admired and respected.

June 2011 News

June 28Lorraine Lopes warms up for Sacramento with SR

Lorraine Lopes is on a roll in her build up for Sacramento. At WAAS tonight she knocked more than 10 seconds off her own W70 5000m state record (pending ratification). It was the final night of Perth competition for most of the MAWA entrants in the Worlds before they head off to California to fly the black swan flag for us all. Good luck to all.

June 28MAWA athletes medal in UK Nationals

There was an antipodean presence at the BMAF Nationals in Birmingham last weekend. Aussies Nick Bannenberg (NSW) and Don Chambers (MAWA/Vic) joined dual national John Oldfield taking part in these championships. Kiwi William Kenny also brightened up proceedings with his permanent smile and bonhomie.

June 24Tuesday T&F meets for summer under discussion

Discussions about the location and timing of track and field meets for summer Tuesdays are continuing. Following notification that the UWA Sports Grounds may not be available on a Tuesday evening, the committee, Barrie Kernaghan and Bob Schickert are working hard to reach an agreement satisfactory to all. Barbara Blurton hopes to be able to make an announcement soon with the outcome of these discussions.

June 20Bob Lane takes the Jim Barnes Marathon Trophy

With 81.96% age graded - 3h12m34s - Bob Lane took the Jim Barnes Trophy in the Perth Marathon yesterday. This was a sterling run by the M60 star. Kim Thomas was our first MAWA member home, in 15th place overall (2h55m30s) with Lisa Searle our first woman (3h30m40s). Full MAWA results are on the road results page, full results, provisional at this stage, are on the WAMC website.

June 9Archives on the website will be a haven for historians

Anyone who has an interest in the history of Masters Athletics in general, or of MAWA in particular, will be delighted to see the embryonic archives section on this website. Work started on this section in April this year, with two sections already fully operational - covering trophies and news items.

Work has now commenced on the archive of the club's major magazine - Vetrun. Online so far are issues back to 2005, with plans for all the previous issues from the 1970s to follow over the next twelve months. Other sections of the archive will include old issues of the Track and Field magazine (TFNL) and a history of state records back to the founding of the club.

June 6Steeplechase seminar and practice at WAAS

MAWA members are invited to attend a steeplechase seminar at the WA Athletics Stadium on Saturday July 16. The Tony Benson seminar will focus on barrier technique and the water jump. Time 11am - 1pm (one hour in the boardroom followed by an hour's practice on the track). Further details from Susan Andrews (suze71@optusnet.com.au).

June 4Road Run and Walks Championship winners announced

The Road Running and Road Walking Championships are over for another year. Brett Roach made it five in a row in the 3-race 50km running championships, with a resurgent Gillian Young taking the women's title. In the 3-race 30km walks event it was Michele Mison leading the ladies and first-time men's entrant Garry Hastie winning the men's. For a full report and detailed results see this month's Vetrun.



May 2011 News

May 31Lyn Ventris shatters world record for 20km walk

Bunbury-based racewalker Lyn Ventris knocked an amazing 5 minutes 13 seconds off her own W50 World record at the Australian Masters Athletics 20km Road Walk Championships to win gold in Melbourne on May 29. Her time of 1h39m51s (101.33%) bettered her 1h45m04s set nearly two years ago. Also at the event another Western Australian Masters athlete, David Smyth won bronze with a solid performance in the M40 20km event. Two photos in the road photo gallery.

May 25Yet another Australian record for Lorraine Lopes

Lorraine Lopes continued her golden era at WAAS last night with another Australian record (pending until ratified, of course). It was her own 1500m mark that she bettered by half a second with a new time of 6:38.2. Lorraine made the most of the calm, cool conditions, which were perfect for middle distance running.

May 13Perth 2015 bid - Inspection visit goes smoothly

The President of WMA, Stan Perkins, and three Vice Presidents were in Perth for three days last week. Their official inspection visit of the city, the proposed athletics facilities, transport and accommodation infrastructure went smoothly. For full details, go to the Perth 2015 website (latest news section) - click the logo at the top right of this page.

May 13Yet another Australian record falls to WA's latest superstar

Lorraine Lopes seems to be setting new Australian records each week. This time at the Ern Clark Centre last night she turned her attention to her own 3000m record. 14:47 was last year's time. Last night she cut 30 seconds off this with an amazing 14:17.2 (93.7%). She now holds all Australian W70 records from 800m, through 1500m and the mile to 3000m. Truly a superstar!

May 11Lorraine Lopes marks 4-minute mile anniversary in style

May 6, 1954 was that magical day when Roger Bannister ran the first-ever 4-minute mile. It was one day early on May 5, but last Thursday Lorraine Lopes broke the Australian W70 mile record - not in 4 minutes, but her 7:14.5 was still a terrific time. She adds this mark to her 1500m Australian record set in Brisbane. This one slipped under the radar at the time, but 6:38.71 equates to an astonishing 94.64%.



April 2011 News

April 29AMA Championships eye-witness report

Read Sarah Ladwig's eye-witness report on the Nationals. click here

April 29Perth Marathon entries now open

Eldon George advises that entries are now open for the Perth Marathon and Relay. Go to the special online entry site set up by WAMC click here

April 28Best Performances in each event 2010-11 published

Club Tops, the best three performances in each event, for every age group, is published each year. The year is deemed to conclude with the National Championships each year, so the latest list includes the terrific results by MAWA in Brisbane last weekend. They are available on the records page, accessed via the Archives section on the top menu. Past years' results from 2009 are also available in the archives.

April 27Perth launches WMA 2015 bid website

Western Australia has launched its bid for the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships to be held in Perth. Perth is one of the world’s great event locations with a fantastic climate, excellent venues and infrastructure. The primary venue for Perth’s bid is the West Australian Athletics Stadium, which opened in 2009 and is one of Australia’s newest sporting facilities. Away from the track, Perth can provide an experience like no other as a host destination. Its beautiful parks, magnificent beaches, warm climate and welcoming people will ensure that competitors, spectators, media and sponsors will enjoy an unforgettable World Masters Athletics Championships. To find out more about the bid click here

April 27Multi-eventers and Walkers join the gold party

The last two days of the Brisbane championships were dominated by pentathletes and race walkers. Golds in the outdoor pentathlon were pocketed by Melissa Foster, Sarah Ladwig, and the brothers Jeffery (Paul and Mark). Throws pentathlon golds went to Bev Hamilton, Matt Staunton and Chris Tittel, whilst race walkers Regina Crouch and Lyn Ventris added to the haul in the 10km road walk. But there were still more - David Carr (8km cross country), Kim Thomas and Lorraine Lopes (5000m), Andrew Brooker (400m hurdles), Garry Ralston (pole vault) and Melissa Foster and Brenda Painter (triple jump) also added to the maxima haul. Full results are available click here. Analysed MAWA results are on the track results page of this site.

April 22'Chasers carry on with the gold work

The steeplechasers took centre stage on day 2 of the Nationals in Brisbane. Golds to Jacqui Sanders, David Carr and Kim Thomas, plus six silvers and a bronze ensured that MAWA successes from the first day continued. Golds also went to Marty Campbell and Peggy Macliver (200m), Lyn Ventris (5000m race walk), Mark Elms and Garry Ralston (short hurdles), David Carr (1500m), Matt Staunton and Chris Tittel (discus), Matt Staunton (javelin) and Brenda Painter in the high jump. Full results are available click here. Analysed MAWA results are on the track results page of this site.

April 22Sprinters lead the way in Brisbane

Peggy Macliver, Lynne Choate and Garry Ralston led the MAWA gold rush on Day 1 of the AMA Championships in Brisbane. Peggy took golds in the 100m, 60m and long jump; Lynne the golds in both sprints and Garry has a gold (60m) and bronze (100m). Lorraine Lopes (800m), Garry Hastie (1500m walk), Kim Thomas (10,000m) took our other track golds on day 1. In the field, Melissa Foster (LJ), Matt Staunton and Chris Tittel (hammer), Geoff Gee, Chris Tittel and Bev Hamilton (shot) also pocketed gold medals. Full results are available click here. Analysed MAWA results are on the track results page of this site.

April 21Perth 2015 bid - new website goes live

The bid to bring the WMA World Championships to Perth in 2015 has taken a huge step forward. Eventscorp has designed a dedicated website championing the strengths of Perth as host; this went live yesterday. Check it out at www.perth2015.com. Things are really hotting up in the bid process. In early May, WMA officials are to conduct their inspection visit to the city. The final decision will be made at this year's championships in Sacramento in early July.

April 189 National Relay Titles for MAWA

The postal relay results are finally here. MAWA's haul of nine titles was well down on previous years, but with many of our top athletes either injured or not available, four track, three long jump and two field wins is very respectable. The full results are available on the track results page (scroll down to Special Events).

April 15MAWA runners join Legacy again at Gallipoli Run

Last year about 40 WAMC and MAWA members ran in Legacy tops at the Gallipoli Run. Eldon George invites all those, and others, to run in the same tops this Sunday and enjoy a (sports) drink socially after the run. Eldon writes "As with last year, the Legacy 'team' will consist of some top line runners..... runners and walkers from the WA Master's Athletics and the WA Marathon Club, current and former Legacy kids and serving defence force personnel. For photographs from last year's run, Click here

April 11David Carr pips Peggy Macliver for Athlete of the Meet

In the recent state championships, David Carr had the highest percentage performance to take the Athlete of the Meet Trophy. His 94.79% in the 800m edged out Peggy Macliver's 92.91% in the 200m. For good measure David also had the third highest - 92.4% in the 1500m. And just to show that he's still warming up for the challenges ahead he followed up with an astonishing 99.28% in the 2k steeplechase at WAAS last Friday.



March 2011 News

March 29MAWA winter meets at WAAS from Tuesday May 3

For the first time there will be two weekly track meets for MAWA athletes in the winter. In addition to the usual Thursday sessions at ECAC (6-7.30pm) a parallel programme will run on Tuesdays at WAAS. Programme - click here . For more details on the Tuesday meets click here

March 28Mark Jeffery is MAWA's star at State Open Champs

MAWA athletes took ten medals at the State Open Championships this weekend. Multi-eventers led the way, with Mark Jeffery coming away with two golds and a bronze. His pole vault gold also gave him a share in the M40 state record (awaiting ratification). Matt Staunton and Byrony Glass were the others 'going gold'. A full report and results can be found on the track results page.

March 25Lake Monger photos now in the gallery

Your regular Sunday photographers, Vic Waters and Frank Smith, have provided more top quality action shots from last Sunday's run and walk. These are now available to view and download in the road gallery. Use the menus at the top of this page, then the arrows to view or download. Where else but Masters Athletics can you have a pleasant social run/walk in a top quality location, breakfast to follow with a FREE SAUSAGE SIZZLE?

March 24Throws records for Ed Carroll, Bob Fergie

Almost windless, humid conditions at McGillivray suited two of our more experienced throwers on Tuesday evening. Ed Carroll threw the discus 34.51m to break the M70 state record. Then Bob Fergie heaved the heavyweight 11.84m to raise the current M75 weight throw SR. With the Black Swan Event FP State championships only a week away, both men look to be in top form.

March 11Barefoot in the Park?

Most of us will have felt the sensuous joy of either walking or running barefoot along the beach. Some will have experienced running that way on grass. The practice of running barefoot is as old as mankind. But in recent years there has been an increasing trend for serious running without shoe support. Proponents and opponents of this trend will no doubt argue for ever as to either its efficacy or lunacy. One of MAWA's marathon men Frank Smith (see recent Vetrun) has referred us to this article in Runner's World magazine Barefoot Running.

March 7John Stone calls from Christchurch

John Stone, who set up the MAWA website and was webmaster for many years is now living in Christchurch. He's found the time to let us all know how things are with this recent message: "Greetings from shaky Christchurch! (MAWA members) might be interested to hear the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium and Athletics Track in Christchurch, where the 1981 World Veterans’ Athletic Championships were held, has been badly damaged in the recent earthquake. Just a few months ago, a new practice track had been built, next door to the main stadium. The new track is also severely damaged. The stadium buildings, which house swimming pools and a gymnasium, have been given a red sticker by civil defence authorities. Red Sticker means that it has suffered structural damage and must not be entered. My family are all safe and sound, but it was not a very pleasant experience."

March 6Brian Bennett's second Ironman success

Brian Bennett completed his second Ironman at Taupo, NZ yesterday. A 2.4 mile swim (1:13:51), followed by a 112 mile bike ride (6:02:16) put him about half an hour behind last year's time. But a stunning 4:28:38 marathon gave him an overall time of 12:06:33 - more than 30 minutes better than last year. And next year he'll be in a different age group. Hearty congratulations Brian - you are a true Ironman!

March 4Melissa Foster & Lorraine Lopes on target at ECAC

Two more state records were set last night by a pair of our top ladies at each end of the Masters' age spectrum. First Melissa Foster added 10cm to Katrina Spilsbury's 1999 W30 triple jump. Melissa's 10.55m has been coming for a while, and last night she was consistently over the old record. Then Lorraine Lopes, who is now accustomed to a record or two each month, added the 5000m W70 mark at her first attempt at this distance. Not only that, but her 25:00.3 knocks almost 9 minutes off Glenice Shanahan's 1995 time.



February 2011 News

February 26Strong MAWA group in State 10,000m open champs

The official results are not yet posted, but your reporter can confirm that four MAWA members gave a good showing last night in the AWA State Open 10,000m championships. The race was started appropriately by the club's Patron, distance running legend John Gilmour. Under very trying conditions - hot, humid and almost wind-free, our four entrants in this showpiece event acquitted themselves with honour. Best-placed was Paul Mitchell with a time just under 35 minutes. Roscoe McDonnell led the rest home, followed by Kim Thomas and John Collier. Well done to all four.

February 26Greg's third SR in the week!

Greg Wilson had not done any high jumping "since around 1972, when in my twenties and still doing the straddle over the bar". A few weeks ago Dave Wyatt's initiative in setting up the high jump event on a Thursday encouraged recent new member Greg to take it up again. He broke Keith Martin's M60 SR of 1.36m a week ago at the Strive meet by 1cm, raised it another 2cm at Coker Park on Thursday, and then another 1cm to 1.40m last night at the Strive meet.

February 25Records Galore on final night of Relay Carnival

There were five possible state records on the final night of the relay carnival last night - although four of them were in the field. Greg Wilson raised his six-day old M60 high jump mark by another 2cm to 1.39m; Stan Selby (M65) and Paul Foley (M45) set new javelin distances; Lajos Joni raised his own weight throw mark by 1cm, but this may well be rounded down when the tapes are checked. The last of the records was set by the W40 4x800m relay team in the AMA National Relays. Niamh Keane, Simone Solomon, Delia Baldock and Kerriann Bresser set a new time of 11:40.8.

February 19Greg Wilson leaps to SR in the high jump at WAAS

Greg Wilson joined the club in the early summer, together with wife Julie. they have become regulars both on Sunday runs and at the weekly track meets. Greg has taken advantage of Dave Wyatt's organising and coaching in the high jump at ECAC. Last night he broke Keith Martin's M60 SR in the high jump by clearing 1.37m. He was watched over and supported by Dave Wyatt himself. Dave turns 60 later this year, so maybe there will be some friendly rivalry to come!

February 19Matt Staunton completes his 7th decathlon with an SR

Matt Staunton returned to us from South Australia a year ago. He has been working very hard during the season to prepare for the State Open Championships decathlon, held last weekend at WAAS. The weather over the weekend was quite difficult, with a gusty wind and hot, humid conditions. So Matt was himself disappointed with his total of 4244 points. Those of us privileged to watch him as officials were very impressed with his focus, dedication, but always good humour. Full results will be on the website once they have been revised to take into account his Masters' status. Whatever the outcome of this revision it will mean another state record to add to the M30 record he already holds.

February 16Photos from Friendship & McCallum Lakes Runs

The photo gallery has been updated with a selection of Frank Smith's photos from the Friendship Run and Vic Waters' pictures from this week's McCallum Lakes. The club is greatly indebted to these two fine photographers who give up so much time to add to the experience of MAWA's members. As you flick through the gallery and download your photos of choice, give some thought to thanking them when next you see them; and if they are behind a camera at the time, don't forget to smile. Remember - running or walking with MAWA is a great way to start your Sunday mornings. Go to Photo Gallery

February 11Lorraine Lopes sets another Australian Record

At ECAC last night Lorraine Lopes did it again. For the second week in a row she set a new national mark. This time it was Shirley Young's 2000 W70 1500m record that fell to the WA star. Lorraine ran a very controlled race, and was always on course to beat the old record. Her time of 6:42.0 meant that she had a good five seconds in hand. Just like last week, Derry Foley too had cause for celebration. 6.30m gave him the new M80 state triple jump record. Full results from an excellent evening's athletics, which included two more National Relays, are on the results page as usual.

February 10More records fall for Lorna Lauchlan, Peter Kennedy

The old saying has life beginning at 60. But two of our older athletes gave displays at UWA last night which indicated that it continues for a long time after that. Lorna Lauchlan, renowned as a race walker, sprinted to a new W80 100m state record. Whilst Peter Kennedy's 800m pace was a little more sedate, he still knocked 10 seconds off his own M90 record.

February 4Lorraine Lopes sets new Australian Record

At ECAC last night Lorraine Lopes had the late Shirley Brasher's W70 800m Australian record in her sights. Encouraged by a large gallery, she beat it by almost 4 seconds, setting a new time of 3:20.0. M80 Derry Foley added to the excitement with a new state long jump record. Full results from an excellent evening's athletics, which included the first two of the National Relays, are on the results page as usual.

February 4MAWA Three top state Open Walks Championships

The AWA state open 10km track walk was held at ECAC on February 2. World record holder Lyn Ventris took the women's title, with Gary Hastie the men's champion. For good measure David Smyth added the silver medal to the MAWA haul. For the full results click here

February 2Rae McMillan heads AGT list

The Age-Graded Throwers' event was extended by a few days to allow W80 Rae McMillan to complete the five throws. And she did not disappoint with a throw of 79% plus last night with the hammer at UWA. This gave her a total of 380 points, some 80 clear of Bev Hamilton and the rest. For the full results click here

January 2011 News

January 28SR for Barbara Blurton in 1000m

Club President Barbara Blurton put aside her injury woes for the evening last night in setting a new W60 state record. Her time of 3:50.1 in the 1000m knocked more than 6 seconds off Peggy Macliver's 2007 time. There was another SR at ECAC as well. The W50 team of Margaret Saunders, Peggy Macliver, Carol Bowman and Robin King set an inaugural 4x1500m time of 25:59.0. Lose one, gain one Peggy!

January 26Roscoe, Steve and Ross fly MAWA flag in Hobart

As reported earlier, Roscoe McDonnell (gold M50), Steve Giles (silver M50) and Ross Keane (5th M45) flew the MAWA flag proudly in the AMA Half Marathon Championships in Hobart. However, the overall placings in the open race were reported incorrectly. The flag flew even higher than originally stated in the preliminary results. Overall, Roscoe was 29th, Steve 32nd and Ross 128th (out of a field of 422). Well done to all three, and apologies for the initial error. There is also extra good news in that Rosemary Giles (W35) completed the full women's marathon, finishing in 3h16m.

For previous years' news items, go to the news archive

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