Title: Come out for track
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Blog Entry: David Ortman of Seattle wrote: "Here are some entry stats: New York Marathon 50,000+, London Marathon 46,000+, Chicago Marathon 45,000+, Berlin Marathon 40,000+, Boston Marathon 25,283+. Total number of entries for the 100m at the (Masters) nationals in Spokane: 55 women, 105 men." So Dave inquired: "How come tens of thousands want to run 26 miles while only dozens want to run 100m? Perspiring minds want to know." Well, here's the short answer: The marathon is long on macho and anonymity. In the 100-meter dash, there's nowhere to hide. It's a fast way to "embarrass" yourself. Dave's question goes to the heart of a bigger issue, however: Why do road races from 5K to ultradistances attract tens of thousands of Masters athletes while Masters track meets limp along with fields in the low hundreds? Only at Masters national do entries top 1,000. At worlds, they usually exceed 5,000. But those aren't marathon numbers, fersure. Leaders in the Masters track movement have struggled with low turnouts for years. Some suggest better marketing -- publicizing track and field for age-groupers more aggressively. Others point to the lack of money in Masters track -- prize money, that is. Your average 10K in Podunk, South Dakota, hands out more cash to age-group (or age-graded) winners than can ever be won on the Masters track circuit. Another wrinkle is Masters track and field is just plain harder. Harder than running 26.2 miles? Well, more strenuous and demanding of skill and practice. The charm of road running is anyone can shuffle along for a few hours. You can walk, stop for a drink. In track meets, it's all-out, all the time. Muscles ache. Joints cry out in pain. It's also a matter of societal acceptance. A 65-year-old lady road runner is awarded cheers as she circles a local park at 12-minute-per-mile pace. But a 65-year-old lady pole vaulter, shot putter or hurdler wins stares of disbelief, even disapproval. But perceptions change. In the early 1960s, street joggers of any age were laughed at. Now they're so ubiquitous, nobody gives them a second glance. Over the weekend, a widely circulated Associated Press article put a positive spin on sprinting. As I write on my masterstrack.com blog: You won't see the names Frank Lynch or Antonio Douglas in Masters track results, but their two 100-meter match races have gotten more press than many trackos get in their lifetime. Frank, nearing 70, owns a car wash chain in Atlanta. One of his favorite employees is Antonio, in his early 40s. But Antonio was going blimpo, and boss Frank teased him into losing weight by saying: "I'm going to be 70 soon. And I can run twice as fast as you can." The story played out in fascinating fashion, and led to a rematch. The version I've seen doesn't say what their final clockings were. You can look up the story by Errin Haines. The bottom line: The 5-foot-4, 330-pound Douglas eventually lost 112 pounds and gained $22,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation -- by racing his boss at Atlanta's Grady High School. Masters track might gain a bigger following if it touted stories like this. Not every oldster wants to go 26.2 miles. How about a 100-meter dash among friends? And contrary to assumptions, you won't be embarrassed at all! You'll be thrilled by the fast friends you make.
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