Volume 88 | May 2018 Download a PDF of this newsletter here!

Artist rendering of the new east grandstand with the Bowerman Tower in the distance. A Dramatic New Look For Historic Hayward Field

Hayward Field as it looks now is about to undergo a dramatic transformation.

The recently introduced the renovation plans for the 99-year-old venue.

After the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June, the construction crews will begin work on the new version of Hayward Field. The venue will not host any events in 2019 while construction continues.

The new design has been called space-age, snazzy, and stunning. Some track and field fans however are not in favor of the changes.

More information about the renovation is available here. Artist renderings of the new Hayward Field are available here.

A Different Kind of Track Meet!

The OTC Hayward Classic offers fans a unique track and field meet.

The 36th Annual Hayward Classic features some of the top masters level athletes in the and beyond. The meet is open to women and men 30 years old and older. Last year’s meet featured 4 world records, plus 1 American and 1 Canadian record! Competitors ranged in age from 30 to over 90.

There is no admission fee to attend and watch one of the best masters track and field meets in the world. That is right, no charge to watch.

The Hayward Classic is Sunday, May 6 at historic Hayward Field.

Pre Classic Promises Exciting Two Mile Race

Former Oregon Duck will line up at the OTC against the best in the world at the two-mile distance, including World 5000 Meter Champion, Muktar Edris of Ethiopia.

Cheserek was the fastest miler indoors this year, 3:49.44, but his 17 NCAA titles may be no match for Edris's finishing speed. At the London World Championships last year, Edris smoked a 52.4 final lap to best another Hayward Field favorite, of Great Britain. Edward Cheserek

What makes this world-class race all the more special is that it will be held on Friday night, May 25, once again free for all spectators thanks to title sponsor NIKE.

The two-mile distance comes in a year with no major championship 5K except the annual IAAF , which incorporates the two-mile and 3K in its point standings for the 5K. The Pre Classic two-mile record of 8:03.50, set in 2007 by Australian Craig Mottram, remains the fastest run on U.S. soil.

Edris, 24, ended the reign of Mo Farah last summer at the London World Championships, winning the global 5k title that Farah had owned since 2011. Cheserek, 24, is on fire as the world’s fastest miler this year, but his incredible racing stretches to the long distances and among the best ever seen in the U.S. His speed is no secret to the Hayward Field faithful who have seen him kick 53.1 for the first of a record three NCAA 10k titles.

Ethiopian , 20, has already raced to unprecedented history, and twice it was at Hayward Field. At 16, he was the youngest winner ever in the 5K at the World Junior Championships in 2014, held at Hayward Field. In 2015 he made his biggest splash, winning the Pre Classic and becoming the youngest 5K winner by four years. A fantastic season saw him winning the Diamond League as well with his PR 12:53.98.

The 44th Pre Classic is May 25 and 26 at Hayward Field.

Nike Store Open for the OTC in June

Eligible members can shop the Nike Company Store in Beaverton during the month of June. OTC members will also be able to visit the store in October.

The Nike store offers substantial discounts on a wide range of Nike products. Access to the store is one of the Club’s most popular benefits.

Access to the store has to be earned by Club members. Here are the two ways you can become eligible to visit the store:

Read the full article All Comers Meets Start on June 27

Preparations for OTC’s All Comers track and field series are underway!

The All Comers meets will again be held at Lane Community College, 4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene. The OTC is thrilled to use the beautiful LCC facilities while Hayward Field undergoes renovations.

The series begins June 27. Youth meets will be held Wednesdays June 27, July 11, 18, 25, and August 1. The adult meets (age 12+) will be held Thursdays June 28, July 12, 19, 26, and August 2. In an effort to schedule meets when the most people can participate, All Comers will not be held the week of July 4.

All ages and abilities are welcomed and accommodated at All Comers. There are a variety of running events as well as Pole Vault, Javelin, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, and Discus. Come out to dust off an old hobby or try something new. We would love to see you!

There are some key differences in the facilities at Lane Community College and Hayward Field so there will not be a event this season. The safety of our participants and volunteer officials is of the utmost importance.

Youth- $4 for up to 3 events, free for OTC members. Adults- $5 for up to 3 events, $1 for OTC members

Gray Grieve Orthodontics is once again sponsoring the All Comers series. The OTC is thankful for Dr. Grieve’s years of support.

The All Comers meets rely on wonderful community volunteers. The meets would not be possible without the amazing group of people that come out every year.

Please contact Celina Johnson Hess at [email protected] if you have an interest in volunteering. We have jobs for everyone, regardless of your experience with track and field.

Visit oregontrackclub.org for detailed schedules and more information.

Out of the Blocks: Preparing for the Future by Kevin Marbury, OTC president Happy May!

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Some variation of this quote has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin, Winston Churchill and John Wooden. Regardless of who first uttered this sentiment, it remains true today. A successful outcome more than likely is the result of vision and the analysis/execution of the steps necessary to achieve that outcome.

As an example in sports, the successful athlete doesn’t just show up on game day ready to best the competition. Even those blessed with natural talent understand the importance of spending time in the weight room, eating well, getting sleep and rest, as Kevin Marbury well as logging miles on the road or track. Before toeing the start line or settling into the blocks, the prepared athlete will go through a stretching routine to activate the muscles needed to compete. Many will also include some type of mental preparation that may include a checklist of what things the athlete will need to focus on or a visualization of the desired outcome of the competition.

Similarly, our Club is preparing for the future and improving the ways we execute our mission. The leadership of the OTC meets regularly to discuss the business of the Club. Various committees are tasked with managing our functions and the completion of tasks that allow the Club to serve its members.

The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee have been examining our leadership structure in an effort to position ourselves for future opportunities. Renewed commitments to committee service by Board members and an expanded Executive Committee are two options being considered. If enacted, the result will be an even more dynamic leadership group with a better distribution of the workload.

The recent unveiling of the plans for a renovated Hayward Field has stimulated a lot of opinions and conversations, much of which are centered on the design. The leadership of the OTC has taken the position that while we haven’t been involved in the design nor will we be with the construction, we are excited that the project has the potential to enhance every level of competition in track and field. This lines up nicely with our mission, and so it will be important that we plan and prepare accordingly. The OTC and new Hayward will continue to serve our community long after the 2021 World Championships have concluded. We need to focus our efforts and energies on preparing for those successes in the time leading up to Hayward’s re-opening in the spring of 2020.

An Indoor Track Facility Takes a Major Step Forward

Recently Travel Lane County, the tourism promotion agency and sports commission for Oregon’s Lane County, agreed to administer a contract to evaluate an indoor multi-purpose track facility in Springfield. Springfield and Eugene are both located in Lane County.

Springfield City Council members voted unanimously in early April to spend up to $130,000 from Springfield’s transient room tax fund to an evaluation of the potential project and a conceptual design, including cost estimates and site locations.

Kari Westlund, president of Travel Lane County and former OTC president, said the evaluation could be completed as early as 90 days but the contract does allow up to nine months to finish the evaluation.

Read full article OTC Butte to Butte, A Community Event

The Aquafina OTC Butte To Butte has been a mainstay in the Eugene community for over forty years.

The 5K course will start and finish on 5th, between High and Pearl, with an out-and-back heading down High Street, Amazon Parkway and looping back at 24th.

​The course is flat and fast, which gives much fanfare and excitement for 5K participants and spectators along the course. The Butte to Butte finish line is the goal for serious The 10K starts at Spencer Butte Middle School in runners and casual walkers. Photo by Gordon South Eugene, goes up the famous Donald Street Cully. Hill and then turns on Fox Hollow, heading toward th the finish line on 5 Street. The 4 Mile Mayor’s Walk tech shirt. Women, men and children’s sizes are starts at Spencer Butte Middle School and welcomes available. walkers of all paces. Planning on participating? Register at Each year, many community members help along ButteToButte.org and invite your friends to the the course to ensure the safety of participants. If Facebook event to get the latest news by typing you are available on Wednesday, July 4, please visit Aquafina OTC Butte To Butte in the Facebook the website at ButteToButte.org to fill out the search field. As always, register early and volunteer sign up form. All volunteers receive an participate in the fun! Aquafina OTC Butte To Butte t-shirt. The 2018 logo highlights a scenic view of downtown on a Vin’s TrackTown: New Era of American Distance Running by , Associate Athletic Director at the University of Oregon, ​President of TrackTown USA and President of USATF

On a cold, windy, rainy morning in , the world saw a powerful glimpse of the present, and future, of American distance running. Vin Lananna

Never before have there been so many American contenders with a legitimate chance at victory. The media attention focused on the American women and the drought of an American win on the women’s side that had lasted since 1985 (reminder that particular honor went to Lisa Rainsberger, the mother of current Duck Katie). (a member of the Portland-based Nike Bowerman Track Club), (a former Duck and current member of the , also based out of Portland), , and Desi Linden were all in the conversation.

Read the full article OTC Masters News Briefs

The UO Pepsi Invitational Meet on April 7 included a Masters Mile andtwo heats of a Masters 100 Meter Dash in less than optimal conditions. Check out the results here.

After the meet, the OTC Masters hosted a reception for the UO athletes. Thank you to all who helped!

Your best bet to find Masters activities is the OTC Masters website at www.otcmasters.org. Details about the upcoming Twilight Meet are available.

Masters Outdoor National Track and Field Wet and windy conditions for the Masters 100 Championships will take place July 26-29 at meters race at the Pepsi Meet. Eastern Washington University in Spokane, WA. With the Nationals so close to home for the first time in many years, it will be great to show the rest of the world the skills and character of the Oregon Track ​The OTC Hayward Classic is no longer accepting Club! applications, but the meet can always use additional volunteers. Email [email protected] for A 2018 USATF membership is required and information. registration is open. For more information, contact Alison Wood at [email protected]. Visit the Hayward Classic on Sunday, May 6 and be inspired. Free for spectators!

Justin Gallegos, a Runner ​with Unique Challenges

By Don McLean

Justin Gallegos, 20, was born with Cerebral Palsy and raised in Santa Clarita, CA. He is now living his dream as a student at the University of Oregon and a member of the Oregon Running Club. He hopes to run under two hours at the Eugene Half . His coach thinks he can do it. Justin Gallegos. Courtesy Justin knows he will do it. Never ever doubt Justin Gallegos. .

Obviously, running is a major part of your life. What are some of the unique physical challenges of a racer with Cerebral Palsy we don't understand?

You're going to fall down. A lot. It's scary for others to see, but, for me, I have to deal with it alone, without help. I'll get up unassisted and run as soon as I can. As the years go by, I fall a lot less. At the start I'd fall two or three times a week. Now it's only once a season. We all have obstacles and challenges to overcome. That's mine.

You have a relationship with Nike. What is that? What is the FlyEase project and your role with that?

John Truax at Nike heard about me. He rallied employees at the Nike headquarters to help me with the out-of-state student cost at UO. Now I'm paying back on that kindness by helping FlyEase running shoes for the disabled, testing various models, offering suggestions. The first generation of FlyEase is now available to the public, but hardly anyone has heard about them. I will be wearing them, and talking about them, at the Eugene .

Read the full article

This Family is Official Hayward Field and the University of Oregon have been fortunate over the years to have members of the same family volunteer as track and field officials.

The Duffy clan has continued this tradition of family volunteerism. Four members of the family currently serve as Hayward Field officials.

At most Hayward meets, husband and wife Patrick and Gail Duffy are joined on the infield by daughter Laura and son James. All four are members of the horizontal jumps officiating crew. Gail and Patrick are Oregon Track Club members.

Another daughter, Marlene, is not a track and field The Duffy family. Left to right: James, Laura, Gail official but she is recognized as one of the top soccer and Patrick. officials in the world. She has worked the Beijing and London Olympics as well as the Women’s World first USATF young officials travel grants. She will Cup competition. likely use the travel money to work the USATF Masters Championship in Spokane, WA. Patrick is a masters level USATF certified official with 25 years of experience. He is also a certified The Duffy family, all Beaverton residents, also United States Soccer Federation official with 28 officiate Oregon State University meets, small years of experience. college meets, and high school meets. Occasionally they work out-of-state meets like this year’s USATF Gail and Laura are USATF certified officials. James National Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, IA is currently working on completing the requirements and the NCAA West Regional Outdoor Meet in to become a certified official. Sacramento, CA.

Laura started officiating track meets when she was So the family has plenty of free time to volunteer? 11 years old! She was recently awarded one of the Not really! The family owns and operates four businesses and is a partner in a fifth company.

Marathon says, "Thank You!"

Congratulations to all of the Oregon Track Club members who participated in the weekend!

Whether you were a runner, walker, volunteer or cheerleader, you continue to help make this running event a success year after year. Thank you for being a valued member of the Eugene Marathon family.

Sign up to receive the Marathon e-newsletter and follow us on social media so we can stay in touch. Find race results and newsletter sign up here. See you on the trails!

TrackTown Youth League Is Off to a Good Start

The TrackTown Youth League meets started in April but plenty of events remain through May and early June.

Created by the Oregon Sports Authority Foundation and TrackTown USA, the TrackTown Youth League presented by Providence Sports Medicine is a series of free all comer track meets across Oregon, open to all boys and girls ages 7-14.

The TrackTown Youth League was created to encourage Oregon youth from all backgrounds and income levels to become healthy and active members of the community, inspire youth to participate in track and field and further Oregon’s position as the spiritual home for the sport in this country.

Events include the 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump and turbojav. No prior track and field experience is needed! Athletes of all abilities are welcome, including adaptive athletes.

See the remaining schedule of meets here.

Do not forget about the OTC All Comer Meets in Eugene. See the story in this newsletter. Remembering Jon Hendershott

By Curtis Anderson / TrackTown USA

The sport of track and field lost one of its most definitive voices last month with the passing of longtime Track & Field News correspondent Jon Hendershott.

Hendershott, who was born in Bend on July 20, 1946, died on April 9 at the age of 71 due to complications from a stroke he suffered the day before at his home in Salem. Not surprisingly, although Jon had officially "retired" from his duties with Track & Field News magazine - a career that spanned more than 50 years - he was at Hayward Field, cheerfully covering the Pepsi Team Invitational despite horrendous weather conditions, just two days prior to his death. Jon Hendershott Besides his vast knowledge of the sport he so dearly loved, and his uncanny ability to faithfully tell the stories of the athletes he covered, Jon will forever be remembered as one of the kindest, most compassionate and most caring individuals to all those who had the good fortune to cross his path in life.

The ultimate fact-checker, he always had a smile on his face and was unfailingly helpful to anyone who reached out for his wisdom and guidance.

Jon was a highly decorated journalist and eloquent host of multiple Track & Field News tours around the world. He covered nine Olympiads and 15 World Championships. He served two terms as president of the Track & Field Writers of America (TAFWA) and authored the book Track's Greatest Women in 1987, the first comprehensive tribute to women's track and field.

Upon retirement in 2015, Jon moved to Salem, where he continued to contribute to the sport as a freelance writer. He volunteered to write the script for the Opening Ceremonies at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field, along with detailed bios on all of the Heritage Athletes honored at those Trials.

Jon's passion for the sport of track and field was fueled by his father, Bob, a former two-time Oregon state champion in the pole vault at Bend High School. Upon graduation in 1937, Bob Hendershott attended the University of Oregon, where he vaulted for famed UO coach , and also played for the Duck football team.

Jon was a hurdler in high school, and first subscribed to Track & Field News magazine in 1962. As his dear friend, John Geer, noted shortly after his death in a tribute for Track & Field News, "Jon never really left the sport and the sport never really left Jon."

Business Members

Brown Contracting, Inc. Let's Move LLC Byrke Beller MD, - Pacific Women's Ctr Lile/Eugene Moving & Storage Cameron McCarthy Marilyn Milne at Public Relations Chambers Construction Company Services LLC, SILVER Custom Orthotics Mike Fanelli D2000 Safety, Inc. Musgrove Mortuaries & Cemeteries Dave Henry Real Estate Services, Inc. OnTrack and Field, Inc. Douglas Gallagher Law Office Oregon Medical Group Orthopedic & Sports Eclectic Edge Racing Medicine Clinic, GOLD Eugene Airport Prichard Partners, Inc. Eugene Marathon RBC Wealth Management, Eugene Physical Therapy, LLC, SILVER Todd G. Bosworth, SILVER Eugene Running Club Rexius Forest By-Products Eugene Running Company Run Hub Northwest, SILVER Eugene Wellness Center Runnerspace Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission Runnin' Wild Franklin R. Lulich, CPA, P.C. Sapient Private Wealth Management Garden Way Chiropractic Center Sightline Building Inspections Gleaves Swearingen LLP, Attorneys at Law Slocum Orthopedics, PC. GOLD Handy Ed Construction The Carpet Company Health & Safety Institute Track Town Pizza, GOLD Hutchinson, Cox, Coons, Orr & Sherlock, P.C. Tracktown Orthodontics, GOLD Innovative Print Group Trisha Kluge, LMT Kalen Electric & Machinery, Inc. Tyree Oil, Inc., GOLD Kathleen Dugan LMT Valley River Inn, GOLD

Events Calendar

May June 1: TrackTown Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Downtown 1-30: OTC Nike Company Store access, Beaverton Athletic Club 5: TrackTown Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Hayward Field 2: OTC Board Meeting, 7:00 a.m., Valley River 5: Taco Tuesday Twilight Trot, 5K, 6:00 p.m., Eugene Inn 6-9: NCAA Outdoor Championships, Hayward Field 4: Oregon Twilight Meet, Hayward Field 10: My Best Friends 5K, Eugene 6: OTC Hayward Classic, Hayward Field 13: OTC Board Meeting, 7:00 a.m., Valley River Inn 6: Peace Run, 5K, 10K​, Eugene 14: OTC Monthly Run/Walk, 5K, 6:00 p.m., Island Park, 10: OTC Monthly Run/Walk, 5K, 6:00 p.m., Springfield Alton Baker Park 17: Eugene Father’s Day, 5K, 10K, noon, Eugene 13: Mother's Day Run, 5K, Eugene 21-24: USATF National Outdoor Championships, Des 17-19: High School Championships, Hayward Moines, IA Field 23: Love Liberates, 5K, 13.1M, 8 a.m., Springfield 19: Rhody Run, 5K, 10K, Florence 27: OTC All Comers Meet, Lane Community College 20: Grapes of Half,13.1M, Eugene 28: OTC All Comers Meet, Lane Community College 20: Bark in The Park, 2K, 5K, 10K, Eugene 25-26: OTC Pre Classic, Hayward Field 26: Ridgeline Ramble, 10K, 20K, Relay, Eugene July Sneak Peek 28: Miles on Memorial, 5K, 10K, 15K, Relay, 4: OTC Aquafina Butte to Butte, 4M walk, 5K,10K, Eugene Eugene

Always confirm event with event host.

Many thanks to Kevin Marbury, Laurie Noriega, Bill Kelly, David Wilkins, Nathaniel Teich, Don McLean, OTC Elite, TrackTown USA, Jennifer Touchette (graphic designer) and Phil Sutton (editor) for their support of this newsletter. Please contact Jennifer Touchette at [email protected] or Phil Sutton at [email protected] if you have newsletter questions, comments or content.

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Oregon Track Club Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT 2350 Oakmont Way, Suite 201, Eugene, OR 97401 • Phone: 541-343-7247 Email: [email protected]