Page 5 - Unknown

MASTERS ATHLETICS 2014.
In 2011 it was decided to bring the men’s team age groups in
line with the women’s and remove the aforementioned
anomaly. For three years the M35 team numbers increased
marginally but there was an overall decrease in the number
of teams entered in all age groups. We clearly needed a
boost to provide the event with a sustainable future both
financially and numbers entered.
Our long standing sponsor, Birmingham City Council,
remained loyal but had to increase charges and cut back on
some services. We decided therefore that for 2014 we would
introduce a rule that allowed Clubs to enter more than one
team in each age group and coupled with this after
consultation with the race referee / adjudicators and taking
on board press comments we reduced the number of stages
in the younger men’s age groups. This resulted in an
increase of 74 teams over the previous year.
This increase resulted in several potential safety issues
reported by the race referee / adjudicator as well as timing /
recording issues when handling several age groups at the
same time.
Therefore we have made a decision that for 2015 we will
have an extra race on the timetable.
All women and the M75’s will be in Race 1;
M55 and M65’s will run together in Race 2
and the younger M35 and M45 will be in Race 3.
To this end we have had to bring the first race forward by 30
minutes to a 10.30 am start.
I hope this dispels the idea that we are changing the format
for change sake. A lot of thought and discussion as well as
taking suggestions on board occurred before any changes
are made.
For 2015 I urge team managers to make full use of the
maximum number of names allowed and these are listed in
the detail/rules for the event. We are tightening up on last
minute changes and late entries. Delays encountered on the
day usually stem from trying to accommodate late changes.
We are allowing an extra 5 days in 2015 for teams to enter
and we will be strictly adhering to the closing date.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
– ARTHUR KIMBER
The main fixtures in the late summer/early autumn were, on
the track, the European Championships in Izmir, Turkey, and
the BMAF Combined Events Championships, on the road
and country the BMAF marathon and half marathon, the
Cardiff city mile races, and the BMAF Cross Country Relays
and British and Irish Cross Country International. Full reports
on those will be found on later pages.
The championships in Izmir were held towards the end of
August in torrid 40 degree heat, with its accompanying threat
of heatstroke. A small entry all round, including a British
entry of under 200, produced a rather low key atmosphere
for much of the time in the massive main stadium. No world
or European records were broken by British athletes, but four
British records were set, Steve Peters, M60 400m. in 56.72,
Teresa Eades, W55, a 9.29 triple jump, Carole Filer, W55, a
4.75 long jump and Caroline Garratt, W50, a 37.87 javelin
throw. Again the British team placed second in the medals
table behind Germany.
At the BMAF AGM during the championships in Birmingham
in August all members of the Executive committee were re-
elected unanimously and Danny Herman, treasurer since
1994, was honoured by unanimous election as a BMAF life
vice-president. Peter Kennedy was appointed as IT
manager.
At the European Veterans general assembly in Izmir Maurice
Doogan was a candidate for the post of Technical Director,
but despite his long experience and expertise in organising
athletics meetings, was, unfortunately for him and the future
of European Masters athletics, not elected. The assembly
also decided to change the name to European Masters
Athletics Association.
The bidding process to stage the World Track and Field
Championships in 2018 is still open, with a closing date of
December 20th. We have had discussions over the last few
months with both Cardiff and London.
A group from Manchester Metropolitan University is carrying
out a research project on athletes over 60. They have
recruited at the Inter Area match, the BMAF Track and Field
Championships and the British and Irish Masters Cross
Country International. They have already recruited
approaching 300 athletes. If you have volunteered and have
not yet heard from them about your visit to Manchester, you
should do so soon.
England Athletics is continuing to provide financial support
for both the Indoor and Outdoor Inter Area matches in 2015
and for the England team for the British and Irish Masters
Cross Country International in Dublin in next autumn.
Don’t forget to get your entry in for the European Indoor
Championships in Torun. Entries close on January 18th.
Have a good winter.
Secretary’s Report
– Bridget Cushen
World Championships Bid
Contrary to what you may have read in other athletic
publications, Cardiff is still, as we go to print, pursuing
a bid for the 2018 WMA Track & Field championships.
Eugene may now also throw their hat into the ring
after their unsuccessful bid for the 2019 IAAF World
Championships.
At the conclusion of another vintage (no pun
intended) year, the Executive has agreed to make the
following awards effective from 2015:
BMAF recognition for World Record Breakers
Members who set a ratified World Age Group Record or a
World Best (excluding Relays) may now claim one free entry
to one of our next Championships. As all entries are now On-
Line, you are required to enter as normal and reclaim your
entry fee direct from the BMAF Treasurer. Only
performances achieved by BMAF members in any discipline
of the sport will be considered.
A BMAF Best Male and Best Female of the Year Award.
Criteria: The Judging Panel to be the BMAF Statistician and
the Track & Field, Road Running, Race Walking and Cross-
Country Secretaries.
5