Volume 120 | January 2021 Download a PDF of this newsletter here!
OTC Officers Elected for 2021
The Oregon Track Club Board of Directors recently approved the Club’s officers for 2021.
The 2021 officers are:
• President: Kevin Marbury • Senior Vice President: Erin Regali • Vice President-Membership Services: Ian Dobson • Vice President-Events: John Truax • Secretary: Jeanne Kofranek • Treasurer: Molly Wildman
These officers will serve on the OTC Executive Committee along with the OTC Masters President. The current Masters President is Bettina Huber.
The OTC Past President position on the Executive Committee is vacant at this time.
Greetings from a Good Friend
Dear Friends,
Greetings from the east coast. I am sure that we have never been more excited about welcoming in a new year. 2020 has been a challenge for many of us. The COVID pandemic, the economic downturn, and the civil division around social injustices have created a negative triple whammy. It has been troubling to see collegiate track and field programs eliminated.
On the bright side, I have always believed that when Hayward Field and the Oregon Track Club are healthy, then our sport can be optimistic. From all indications, TrackTown USA is thriving even in this environment. It is time to play offense!
Read the rest of Vin’s message to the OTC
Vin Lananna
Pre Classic Returns to Hayward
The 46th OTC/Nike Prefontaine Classic returns to Hayward Field on August 21, 2021. For the first time ever, the meet will be held post-Olympic Games, two weeks after the Closing Ceremonies in Tokyo. The August date will provide the best chance to have not only the stars of the Games but perhaps fans in the stands. The latter, of course, will depend on what restrictions are in place in eight months.
If spectators are allowed into Hayward Field, tickets will go on sale in early summer of 2021 from goducks.com or 800-WEBFOOT. Priority will be given to UO season ticket holders, previous Prefontaine Classic purchasers, and Oregon Track Club members. When more detailed information is available, it will be posted on preclassic.com.
The Pre Classic was held at Stanford University in 2019 due to the renovation of Hayward Field. The 2020 Pre meet was canceled due to the pandemic. The meet remains the only U.S. stop in the Wanda Diamond League Series, an annual series of invitational elite track and field events.
OTC Hosts Training Groups for Youth, High School Kids There were still miles to run and fun to be had this fall for local youth and high school-aged kids. The OTC Youth Cross Country and High School Program safely provided training for 71 kids, grades two to eight, and 30 high school-aged youth.
The younger team members practiced two days per week from September through November and were supported by 11 volunteer coaches, including members of the OTC Elite Team. This training format allowed smaller training pods by grade level while still enjoying the energy of the full team being in the park together. The young runners learned drills, played running games, completed several time trials, and even experienced a race, complete with timing and The OTC youth and high school practice groups results by Eclectic Edge Racing. gather at Alton Baker Park. Photo by Jake Willard.
Read more about the Youth Program
BRAVEY: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas
By Curtis Anderson, Oregon Track Club Elite Press Officer
One night, before a particularly daunting workout, Alexi Pappas sat down and typed out the following poem: run like a bravey sleep like a baby dream like a crazy replace can't with maybe
It was the first time Pappas had ever used the word bravey in one of her whimsical rhymes, and it resonated far and wide. It even sparked a movement, representing all those who were willing to chase their dreams, no matter how scary or intimidating they might be. Being a bravey was something to be celebrated.
Read the Bravey book review
Was He Writing About OTC Youth Programs?
Sebastian Coe is the president of World Athletics, the world governing body for track and field. During his track career, Coe won four Olympic medals. He set nine outdoor and three indoor world records in middle-distance track events, including setting three world records in the space of 41 days. He recently wrote an article about the importance of community sports in introducing kids to track and field and providing them with initial training. Coe’s article focused on British community sports but his comments apply to the Oregon Track Club Youth Programs.
Read about the OTC Youth Programs
Sebastian Coe
Out of the Blocks: Hindsight and 2020 By Kevin Marbury, OTC president
Happy New Year!
There’s a saying, “hindsight is 20/20.” I think we can all agree that we are very happy that “2020 is now in our hindsight!” I know I am looking forward to returning to living a life that doesn’t represent repeatedly falling off a cliff.
As challenging as this past year has been, I believe there has been value in some of what we have experienced. Let me be clear that I am in no way saying that COVID, social unrest, the summer fires, or the craziness associated with this past election cycle were experiences that anyone hopes to encounter again. I acknowledge that, individually and collectively, these events have brought tremendous pain and suffering to so many for so long. Kevin Marbury Read Kevin’s other comments and insights
State Officials Selected for National Championships
The United States Track and Field Association (USATF) recently announced the officials selected to officiate three USATF national championship meets: USATF Indoor Combined Events Championship, USATF Indoor Championship, and the USATF U20 Outdoor Championship (athletes under 20 years old).
Four Oregonians were among the selected officials: Roger Hall (U20 Championship), Bill Linhart (U20 Championship), Carol McLatchie (Indoor and U20 Championships), and Ron Swick (U20 Championship). McLatchie and Swick are OTC members.
Read which OTC members were selected for the Trials
Register for the Butte to Butte
Registration for the 2021 Aquafina/OTC Butte to Butte run and walk is open. This regional classic is on the Fourth of July, a Sunday this year.
The event offers a 10K, 5K and 4-mile walk. You can register here. There is no race day registration.
The Butte to Butte requires over 200 volunteers each year. If you are available to assist with packet pick-up or as a course marshal on race day, please let Eclectic Edge Racing know through the volunteer page on its website. We look forward to seeing you on July 4th! Masters Board Elections Set for this Month
Although the OTC Masters Annual Dinner and Meeting, typically held in mid-January, is canceled due to the pandemic, the election of Officers and Board members for 2021 still needs to take place in January. The Board recently adopted a change to the Masters’ bylaws, switching the previous three three-year Board Director positions to become one-year Director positions. The proposed slate of Officer and Board nominees are:
President: Bettina Huber One-year Directors: Jane Dods Vice-President: Mike Cahn David Gates Secretary: Trisha Kluge Suzy Hess-Wojcik Treasurer: Sandy Pashkin Kevin Marbury Past President: Trisha Kluge Alison Wood
Read details about the election and annual awards
Oregon Track Club MASTERS News Visit the Masters History Website
Did you know there is a website devoted to archiving and presenting the history of Masters track and field? The website calls itself, “The Museum of Masters Track & Field.” It is a project of the USATF Masters Historical Task Force.
The site is packed with Masters information and photos, including the men and women’s Masters Hall of Fame honorees (there are some Oregon names on these lists). There is also an archive of Masters newsletters and magazines (some date back to the 1960s). You will find Masters World, American, Meet, Club, and International records listed as well as a wealth of additional interesting content.
Treat yourself by visiting: mastershistory.org.
Oregon Track Club MASTERS News Meet Opportunities for Masters Athletes
By Tom Pattee
Upcoming January and February Cross Country / Track and Field meets for Masters athletes and for the OTC Athletics Team are listed below. Some competitions may have qualifying standards. Some of these meets require pre-approval from the meet director to enter as an “open” or non-collegiate athlete. Entry deadlines are provided when day of event registration is not allowed. Please check with the meet director for entry requirements.
Due to Covid-19 concerns, many meets have been canceled or postponed. Before participating in any meet, please consider your health and safety and the safety of others. Due to the quickly changing guidance for public gatherings, please check with the meet director to find out if the meet will still occur.
Jan 16: Super Thrower Winter Indoor Meet for Weight Throw & Shot Put (Indoor Implements Only). 11:00 a.m. at 14288 S. Maplelane Rd, Oregon City. Meet Coordinator: Scott Skipper (503) 866-6921.
Jan 30: Super Thrower Winter Indoor Meet for Weight Throw & Shot Put (Indoor Implements Only). 11:00 a.m. at 14288 S. Maplelane Rd, Oregon City. Meet Coordinator: Scott Skipper (503) 866-6921. Feb 12: Super Thrower Winter Indoor Meet for Weight Throw & Shot Put (Indoor Implements Only). 11:00 a.m. at 14288 S. Maplelane Rd, Oregon City. Meet Coordinator: Scott Skipper (503) 866-6921.
Feb 27: Super Thrower Winter Indoor Meet for Weight Throw & Shot Put (Indoor Implements Only). 11:00 a.m. at 14288 S. Maplelane Rd, Oregon City. Meet Coordinator: Scott Skipper (503) 866-6921.
You can register for some of these meets atd irectathletics.com (account required).
Business Members
Events Calendar
Compiled by Wendy Montenegro
January February OTCM Annual Dinner Meeting, CANCELED 6: Bristow Trail Runs, 50K, 25K, 10M, 5M, 8:30 1: First Run, 10K, 5K, 10:00 a.m., Eugene a.m., Dexter 6: OTC Board meeting, 7:00 a.m., Virtual Meeting 9: OTC Annual Dinner, 6:00 p.m, Virtual Meeting
Always confirm event with event host.
OnTrack is published monthly by the Oregon Track Club
Editor: Phil Sutton Associate Editors: Mike Cahn, Bettina Huber, Bill Kelly, Nathaniel Teich Graphic Designer: Jennifer Touchette Contributors: Curtis Anderson, Joey Blum, Jessi Gabriel, Kevin Marbury, Don McLean, Wendy Montenegro, Tom Pattee, Michael Reilly Support: OTC Administrator and Jake Willard Contact Phil Sutton, [email protected], or Jennifer Touchette, [email protected], if you have newsletter questions, comments or newsletter content. Copyright 2021, Oregon Track Club, Inc. All rights reserved.
Oregon Track Club Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PDT 2350 Oakmont Way, Suite 201, Eugene, OR 97401 • Phone: 541-343-7247 Email: [email protected]