THE VETERAN ATHLETE Hans Axmann WOMEN’S DELEGATE: WELLINGTON 2 Darwin VAC: Peter Fanning, P.O
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DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO VETERAN Vol. 1 No. 5 OCTOBER 1986 PRICE $2 Previous mark held by G. Rhoden (Jamaica) Reg Austin sets new world 22.30 had lasted fourteen years. The seemingly invinvible Reg record for 200 metres Austin, 49, from Sydney N.S.W., con tinued his awesome form in the (BY HARRY STANLEY) Waratah Winter Sprint Series, at the — Photo Peter Griffin Hensley field, Pagewood. Reg blitzed the field of all ages, to win in 22.14 seconds, lowering the existing world mark of 22.30, held by G. Rhoden (Jamaica), since 1972, for the M45 200 metres. Pending ratification (there were three independent official times and no wind assistance) Reg’s new world mark for M45 was achieved with only weeks to spare, as he moves into the M50 category in October this year. His sights now firmly set on the great Ron Taylor’s recent world record of 22.91 at the V European Games in Sweden, Reg is supremely confident of making it two in a row in the very near future. Evidence of this can be illus trated by his recent brilliant performances over the Winter Series, where on no fewer than five occasions, he recorded sub 23 seconds, for the 200 metre sprint, and this achieved in cold, windy and unfavourable conditions! Austins record breaking run was very imminent on what was possibly the warmest winter night for years, and the enthusiastic, expectant crowd witnessed, per haps, the greatest sprint exhibition ever, by an Australian. Reg powered through the final 20 metres to the finish, leaving three junior ‘A’ Grade athletes in his wake, to create a record that will be hard to match by anyone. Calculating the equivalent time in a younger person, using renowned author Hal Higdons slow-down tables, (Refer under the Watchful Ey. Page 4), which indicate that a 49 year old athlete loses in efficiency or declines in performance by 15% for that age group, then Reg’s time of 22.14 would convert to an unbelievable 18.81 seconds almost a full second better than Pietro Menias’ current world record of 19.72. Incidently, Austin has also recorded recent times of 11.00 and twice 11.19 for the 100 metres. _ _ _ W Q R L D Q A M E S B | D Claire Bowker win GOES TO EUGENE 1986 Vic Marathon TAC Panel Picks Track Capital of America’ as U.S. noticeable improver was (BY COLIN BROWNE) Leif Michellsson, who Nominee to Host 1989 Event RACE DIRECTOR MURRAY DICKINSON was steadily threading his way through the field to (BY HAL HIGDON) PLEASED WITH TRIAL RUN FOR NEXT YEAR’S secure third position. WORLD GAMES EVENT. Peter Shone displayed a When the decision came late Thursday, July 17, after fine exhibition of bold nearly twelve hours of presentations and deliberations Cool conditions, with relatively little wind, front running to take out prevailed at the start of the 1986 Victorian the overall title, and the before a TAC sub-committee meeting in Nassau County, Veterans’ Marathon at Princes Park, Carlton, on M40 division in 2.33.46, New York to decide (presumably) the site for the Eighth followed by Eric Greaves Sunday, 14 September. 2.48, Leif Michellsson World Veteran Games, there were tears of joy shed by 2.49 and M50 gold medal track chairman Jerry Donley, looks of resigned dis list Ken Fraser in 2.51. appointment on the faces of near-miss suitors from San The seventy-seven Soon after the five mile Eight others broke the Diego and Los Angeles, and shouts of joy from those starters, including five mark Shone began to set three hour barrier, while women, made an impres the pattern for the race, as an excellent solo perform- representing victorious Eugene, Oregon. sive line up, and without he opened up a gap of 20 (ance by Claire Bowker, in The decision made in the Marriott Hotel before the exception were adorned in secs, on Greaves. Further 3 hrs. 15.47, took the TAC Masters Meet to bring the 1989 Games to Eugene is their club uniform for this back in the field numerous honours in the female major event on the winter groups were forming, aim category, and P.B.’s by not entirely secure. The vote of the eleven-person Ameri calendar. ing at the 2.50 or 3.00 Liz Feldman and Thelma can selection subcommittee (although only seven voted) target. Callanan gave them needs to be ratified at The Athletics Congress (TAC) The course comprised second and third positions At ten miles, with the respectively. convention, December, 1986, in Tampa, Florida (prob thirteen laps of Princes lead unchanged, Ken Park, and after the com Fraser and Bert Gaudion Murray Dickinson and ably a formality). The Americans then will present pletion of the first circuit were battling out the M50 his large team of organis Eugene as their candidate in a bid before the World the lead was shared by ers, ensured a thoroughly brigade, as was Stan Mis- Association of Veteran Athletes (WAVA) meeting at Peter Shone and Eric kin and Vem Gerlach in efficient event, with few Greaves, closely followed the M60’s. problems and only minor Melbourne, Australia in November, 1987. Yugoslavia by Keith Alexander and adjustments necessary, reportedly also may bid and could upset U.S. plans. But, Claire Bowker leading the As the race progressed before next year’s World female division. beyond twenty miles, the Games in Melbourne. most likely, the world’s best over-40 track and field Peter Shone (M40) wins the 1986 Victorian Veterans athletes are expected to congregate during the summer of Marathon in 2.33.46 at Princes Park, Carlton, on 14 1989 in the city (population 106,000) that frequently has September, 1986. been identified as “The Running Capital” of America. CONTENTS Dedicated to all existing and potential Veteran Athletes in Australia. Page Editorial ...................................................................... 2 You will by now have all seen the advertisement/entry form for In this issue of V/A we have published an article by Colin Lang the Promotional World Games Track and Field meet, at Olympic (Q) entitled “An Exercise in Growth” , and we feel it is a magnifi ’87 World Games Update........................................... 3 Park, Melbourne, on Sunday, 7 December, 1986, as published on cent effort by the QVAC members on what can be achieved by con Page 6 in the September issue of the “Veteran Athlete” . structive planning and complete attention to detail. Their overall objective was certainly successful, recruiting 80 new members, Under the Watchful Ey ...............................................4 Now you have also had time to pemse the provisional time table of events, and possibly decide which best suits your particular needs. virtually in one day! I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of Now, if each state can follow Queensland’s example and con Profile (Wilma Peikins) ..............................................5 this major event on our summer calendar. The success of this duct similar recruiting campaigns, particularly during the coming promotional meet is vital to the success of our organisational Track and Field season, I’m sure with the added interest created by Overseas News ...........................................................6 preparation for next year’s World Games. Under the critical eye of the forthcoming World Games, our National membership will several WAVA delegates, here for this occasion, it is imperative the experience an unprecedented growth in the near future. many carefully planned systems are allowed to work smoothly and Also published in this issue, details just to hand of the exciting 3rd Oceania Games ............................................ 7-16 efficiently. Annual New Year Athletics Carnival (including events for veterans) As both Peg Smith and Competition Director, Ray Callaghan, at Dubbo, N. S. W., to be held over the weekend of 27-28 December, Racewalk Review .......................................................8 have already reiterated, it is essential we have maximum participat 1986. Any veterans interested in obtaining further details, contact ion of all eligible veterans, including pre-vets, particularly in the me at the address on Page 2, or phone (059) 428 344 (Melbourne). short sprints, where large entries are required. Till the next issue, stay fit, healthy and happy, Ultra Distance News ...................................................9 We fully realise, of course, the great difficulty and expense facing our many interstate members. However, we are sure you will Veterans Viewpoint ..................................................10 give the matter your due consideration. — MIKE HALL The Throwing Scene ...... ........................................ 12 Queensland News.................................................... 13 Australian Association of Veteran Athletic Clubs; PRESIDENT: DELEGATE OF: ACT News (Vetrunner) ........................................... 14 P.O. Box 311, Greensborough. 3088. Don Farquharson NORTH AMERICA 269 Ridgewood Road OPEN NSW News (Waratah) ............................................ 15 Telephone (03) 435 6743. West Hill SOUTH AMERICA Patron: SENATOR DON CHIPP ONTARIO MIC 2X3 Juan H. Kulzer Footnotes from Tasmania........................................ 16 President: HARRY STANLEY (NSW) Canada Estrada 3429 Vice President: BOB RICHARDS (TAS) Olivos (1636) Sec/Treasurer: PEG SMITH (VIC) EXECUTIVE BUENOS AIRES News from W.A....................................................... 17 Ass/Secretary: VICE-PRESIDENT: Republica Argentina Hon. Auditor: JIM CONWAY (S.A.) Robert G. Fine S.A. News (Grey Hares) ........................................ 18 Statistician: ROYCE FOLEY (VIC) 4223 Palm Forest Drive ASIA: Delray Beach, FL STATE ASS. SECRETARIES Milkha Singh 33445 U.S.A. SECRETARY: House No. 23 Around the Grounds from Vic.................................. 19 VVAC Inc: Peter Colthup, 14 Bakers Road, North N.Y.C. 11217 U.S.A. Owen Flaherty Dandenong 3175. Telephone (03) 7951169. Sector 7-A CN. UTR. 207 CHANDIGARH India QVAC: Stan Perkins, P.O. Box 196, Acacia Ridge 4110. VICE-PRESIDENT: Telephone (07) 2771126. Jacques Semiys ALICANTE Spain EUROPE: NSW VAC: Alan Atkins, 1/75 Ewos Parade, Cronulla “Fit-Veteraan” Cesare Beccalli 2230.