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MASTERS ATHLETICS SPRING 2014.
Next on the agenda is the Marathon on the September 7th
located in Margate and incorporated into the Thanet
Marathon. We will be piloting the BMAF on line system for
this race. Further information will be posted on the web site.
Finally the season ends with Half Marathon located in
Salisbury on October 7th
BOB MINTING BRITISH RECORD
PROCEEDURE
Are you thinking of breaking a Masters record?
I have been looking after the British Masters records
for about 10 years now, and although there have been
occasional problems in ratifying certain records, it has
gone relatively smoothly. I have maintained mostly the
same requirements for ratifying records as my
predecessor David Burton, but have tried to stay in line
with international (that is, EVAA and WMA) changes
when they have occurred. Consistency is important to
maintain equity between all record breakers, in the
past and in the future, however changes sometimes
need to be made to stay in line with international
requirements in order to avoid anomalies (e.g. British
records being superior to European or World records,
but which cannot be accepted under their
requirements).
It is surprising how many records are broken each
year. With no sign of this number falling, you must all
be getting fitter and stronger.
The new requirements which came in last year were
initiated by the European (EVAA) Technical Committee
and accepted by the WMA, and were announced in
last year’s Spring edition of Masters Athletics, and on
the BMAF website News page. In brief, Fully
Automatic Timing (FAT) is now required for all track
events up to and including 800m, and all records timed
using FAT (even if above 800m) need to be supported
by the Photo Finish Image and the Zero Control Test
(ZCT) Image. The ZCT is done at the beginning of
each meeting (or sometimes each session) to ensure
that the automatic timing starts at zero.
The British record application forms have been
updated (with thanks to Chris Jager) to reflect these
changes and can be downloaded from the Records
page of the BMAF website.
A fully completed application form and relevant
enclosures are needed in order to have a record
ratified, unless the performance is at a British,
European or World championship, or at a meeting
sanctioned by the IAAF, e.g. the Olympic Games,
Diamond Leagues etc. This is consistent (except in
one respect) with the requirements for European and
World records. To do otherwise would lead to British
records not being accepted by the European and
World authorities, even when they were superior to
their records. The exception is for records at British
championships, where forms are required for onward
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transmission to the EVAA and/or WMA if their records
are broken. However this potential problem is usually
avoided by the meeting Manager arranging for the
necessary documentation.
In conclusion, if you are ‘in danger’ of breaking a
Masters record, always carry a copy of the relevant
application form with you, as it can be very difficult to get
the form completed (particularly the officials’ signatures) at a
later date.
EDITOR WRITES:
1) Many Meetings in the UK have Automatic Timing.
Certainly National Championships and Senior Leagues,
Grades 4 and 3 permit Meetings (Regionally promoted
Matches and Championships, Other National
Championships like the CAU, British Universities).
However, many meeting rely on often very good hand
timing and many of our members who compete in such
meetings, are disqualified immediately from setting a
Track record below 1500 metres.
2) The criterion for Field records has been established,
so providing the Referee and officials sign the event
card and Record the form, all is well (see 3).
3) The Track and Field Record forms state that IAAF /
WMA rules of competition should be complied with.
Most meetings in the UK, are strangely held under UKA
rules. I don’t know many officials who carry an IAAF
handbook with them. In fact the only competitions held
under IAAF rules in the UK, would be World, Olympic,
European and Commonwealth Games and IAAF Grand
Prix’s these levels would be held under a UKA level 5
permit. It may be possible for European Permit Meetings,
like the Bedford International Games, Loughborough
and Birmingham Games to run under permit level 4
where they can chose IAAF or UKA rules.
4) However, if the interpretation of IAAF / WMA rules
means that the meeting is held on the understanding
that UKA rules follow IAAF and WMA principles,
administered by UKA rules we do not have a problem. If
this is not the case very few British Records will ever be
set, as organisers will not be awarded permits at grades
4 and above.
I would recommend that the BMAF executive
and Bob Minting discuss this matter.
EAMA Cross Country Team Selection
The England cross country team selectors will be
meeting in October to select the team for the British
and Irish Cross Country International which is being
held at Wollaston Park, Nottingham on Saturday 22
November.
Teams will be selected in all 5 year categories from
W35 to W70 and M35 to M75. If you are interested in
applying to be considered for selection please check
out details on the BMAF or EAMA websites.
Or contact your Masters/Veterans Club/Association.
Further details in the next edition of Masters Athletics.
Harry Matthews - Harryrun@talktalk.net