World Masters Athletics News Madrid prepares for huge European Masters Indoor Championships

Madrid prepares for huge European Masters Indoor Championships

Madrid prepares for huge European Masters Indoor Championships post thumbnail image
Entries have now closed and over 3,500 competitors from 39 European countries are now fine tuning their preparations for the opening event on 19 March. Non Europeans can also compete under certain conditions, several athletes from as far away as Australia, India, South Africa and the USA are prepared to travel to the Spanish capital.
The clock is ticking for the Organising Committee and what a formidable task they have. The host nation has a great cross-country running history. This event is being held over 5km on the final day, Saturday 25, attracting up to 80 runners in some age categories. The Road Walks also get a boost.

Encouragingly, entries in the M35 age group continues to grow with 61 in the 60m, 56 in the 200 and 19 in the Pentathlon. The Championship record in the long jump, 7.03m, held by the Italian Pierlugi Putzu since 2013, is certain to go as three men have already registered superior marks, Lysvan Perez Rodiriguez of Spain has cleared 7.24m, the Fenchman Thierry HENRY is over 7.20m this year and Fernan Campo Barriosuso 7.17m. 22 men have entered what should be an exciting event.
The M50 200m Championship record is also likely to fall as 69 men have entered with Alfonso De Foe, Italy, already inside the record. W40 Florina Marin from Romanian has also posted a faster Meet record time of 25.21sec.

It will be the third time that Spain has hosted this event; San Sebastian took it on in 2003 and again in 2013. Their athletes have entered a staggering total of 2,821 events, with Germany 963 events, Sweden 235 down to two entries from Andorra.
You can follow the action on www.emacimadrid2018.com