World Masters Athletics News Masters Decathlon and European Marathon

Masters Decathlon and European Marathon

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British Masters Athletic Federation’s & Open Decathlon

32 Masters in age groups M35 through to M70 and 6-sub Masters contested the above in the Northern city of Sheffield on weekend 2/3 September. The BMAF award medals to the first three in each age category and to the first three Open competitors. Istvan Jacso travelled over from Hungary and finishing fourth in the M35 event with 3994pts. He was more than pleased to get an Open gold medal behind GBR Neil Read with a score of 5557points. Giancario Marotta, Italy, got a gold medal in the M50 category, he was also 4th on 3749pts behind Derek Osborne’ winning 5171pts.

He won the M45 European Masters Indoor 200m in Torun, Poland in March 2015; went on to take the World 200m in 22.72sec and the bronze medal (11.52sec) in the 100m behind Reggie Pendland, USA, in Lyon the same year, but Darren Scott (GBR) can also notch up a high score in the Decathlon winning the British M45 title with 6100points. 11.68 (w.-0.6), 5.35 (w.-0.7), 8.26m, 1.61m, 53.74 (w.2.3), 17.42, 25.68m, 2.70m, 29.96m and a 5.12.13sec 1500m. Another overseas competitor, Lee Faulkner representing the USA team, got 3rd on 5067pts. Brian Slaughter is now into the M60 age group and scored one of the highest marks, 7975pts, ahead of Noel Ruebel, USA with 6929pts.

The Heptathlon held at the same time did not attract a high entry this year with 15 plus 4 sub Masters vying for medals. Carole Filer has now moved into the W60 category and her final score of 5880pts. 13.52(w.1.5), 1.40m, 7.17m, 30.2, 4.38m, 17.47m and 3.07.5sec without strong opposition in her category, was a well deserved victory for this multi World and European medallist.

European Masters Athletics marathon
European Masters Athletics moved the marathon from their biennial Track & Field Championships and now incorporate it with the annual Wroclaw marathon in Poland. Held this year on 10 September over 5000 runners from 23 countries, including 338 entered for the EMA Championships, took to the streets of the beautiful Polish city. First M40 was 42-year old Ahmed Nasef from Italy who finished fourth overall in 2.20.42sec ahead of M35 Terrance Salo, Ukraine, 2.24.27sec. The Spaniard, Juan Jose Barbara-Cassilas, is listed as the first M50 finishing in 2.44.20sec and Wroclaw’s own M60 Marian Slawsinki got under the 3 hour mark 2.55.50sec. The first woman over the line was W35 Dominica Stelmach, Poland, 2.41.02sec. These Age Group awards are yet subject to EMA confirmation. EMA now hold a half marathon with their Track & Field Championships.

Bridget Cushen
September 13, 2017