Throughout the U.K. last weekend many counties held their annual athletics championships, at which many of the young future track and field stars take part. It’s an event that my county, Sussex, decided would also host the Sussex Masters Championships. No idea why other than to perhaps save money.
As it happened, the masters turnout was pretty abysmal, and I ended up being the only athlete in my age group competing in the sprints. The other age groups were also very sparsely populated. The organisers therefore cancelled the heats and ran us all together in one mixed age final in which I would be the oldest n the 100m. We think it was poorly advertised or that there simply aren’t enough masters athletes in Sussex.
In the 200 there was a very spritely 75 year old who honestly couldn’t stop talking. This was his first ever track event and he was super excited to say the least. I got a lecture on magnesium supplementation and how you can’t just take any old magnesium but specific ones . He was still chatting as I we went to the start line 😂 I didn’t save the heart to ignore him but it definitely dented my focus at a crucial time.
This race has 5 athletes. 1 40 yo, 1 45 yo, 1 50 yo, 1 61 yo and the chatty 75 yo. We finished in age order predictably. I was happyish with my time of 27.24 but I really want to get under 27 seconds at some point before the end of the season. Mr Chatty was puffing like a train but smiling through it and I shook his hand and congratulated him. He ran a a very respectable 34 seconds.
In the 100 there were 4 of us competing. 2 35 year olds, a 54 year old and me. I came last but not by much in a decent time of 13.16 seconds.
The weather was perfect for both races and, as usual, it was super friendly. I’m getting to know the other masters athletes quite well now.
The photo is of 4 of us on the 1st podium, as we were all first in our age group. Dunno where the 75yo went but we couldn’t find him. I think he got lost in the centre somewhere. Old age eh? 😂
Written by
RunBrianRun
Half Marathon
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You lost the oldest in the group?😯 Oh dear. I guess he chatted away. Shame that it wasn't better advertised, but you got to share the podium with a good group of guys.
Super well done Brian I'm sure on another day you'll break that 27 second barrier. I can't imagine running that fast, really impressed.
I think he must have found other folk to chat to and lost track of time. I hope to break that 27 soon. I haven’t really trained for 200 yet this season, so maybe after a bit of focus it will come. I love a challenge 😀
As you go faster I go further, let's hope we both meet our goals. I ran track in my 20's and was always middle distance middle speed, so impressed with the sprinters
I honestly don’t think it could be more different Linda. I do enjoy the racing more and I’m beginning to relax more at the start too. I love the buzz it gives me and the challenges too.
The next event is next Monday 22nd at the Sussex Vets League race in Lewes. Hopefully there’ll be a good turnout. 👍
Nice photo, well done on running that 200 metres in 27.24, perhaps if Mr Chatty hadn't chatted so much he would have been a little quicker, at one of the parkruns I go to there are two men who run that are over 80, one is 83 and usually his time is around 39 minutes, the other who is 80 usually runs around 33 minutes.
Well done Brian! Your disappointment is most other’s ‘holy mackerel that was quick’! You’re our speedy HU hero, and you’ll achieve your even speedier goal , I know you will. 👊 🏃♂️💥 Really well done. 👏👏👏👏👏
Cheers Week 7. It has to be in there somewhere. All the others who run in the low 13s for the 100, seem to be able to go sub 27, so I really ought to be able to.
RunBrianRun that is totally amazing. It’s funny to come first in your age group when you are the only one there, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that you are fast. I’m glad you got chance to run against the others rather than be a time trial situation.
Thanks Dexy. It’s not really satisfying tbh but at least I ran against others as you say and that is very useful to make sure I give 100%. At this point in the season it’sa stake in the ground and serves a useful purpose for training planning.
Good stuff Brian. Just out of interest, do you know the times of the age group winners for 5k and 10k, or can you point me at a website with the results?
Hi UTS, the 5 and 10k races usually take place separately from the track and field events as far as I’m aware.
However you should start by looking at U.K. Athletics database of results where you can check out results by age group, individual, and event. It’s called Power of 10 and every single UKA event is entered here for every U.K. registered athlete, from the Olympics to park run. You should see yourself there, especially as you’ve run parkruns.
To see the details you’ll need to create a profile for yourself I think.
It’s a bit tricky to navigate but if you need help hopefully I can assist.
Found the results! There was a 5k - oldest participant an M60 who did 20’33”. So I would have won M70, but run the last 2.5 laps on my own …. perhaps not 😀
There’s much better representation at the BMAF events themselves of course. Why not enter and have a go? What have you got to lose? I better warn you, it’s all highly addictive!
Aww thanks IP. We were all proud just to be out there doing it tbh. It was fun and that’s really important I’m discovering.
Mr Chatty was definitely super excited. It was his first track race ever and of course he was nervous and this was his way of dealing with it. Luckily I’m a good listener 😂
My mind boggles at your speed RunBrianRun ! Pity that Mr Chatty put you off, but I kind of feel solidarity with him. Perhaps he was just over-excited, or maybe there's more to it. Anyway, hope you not only meet but exceed your own targets soon!
It’s perspective isn’t it? I think I look SO SLOW when I see any video of me running. It doesn’t feel like it at the time though as I literally can’t go any faster. Poor Mr Chatty, was very nervous but he got a very decent time, just under 35 seconds which is excellent for 75 years of age. 💪 I hope I can run that quick when I reach that age,
Thank you as ever for your encouragement. I really appreciate it and as you say in time I will make those targets.
27 seconds for the 200? Wow! 💪 I'm happy with 27 minutes for the 5K! 😂
It was nice that everyone was a winner! Think I saw a youtuber (Ben Felton) comment that the Masters events are sometimes very well attended and sometimes hardly anyone turns up.
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