Learn about Masters Track and Field

What is Masters Track?

Masters Track and Field, which is known as “Masters Athletics” outside of the US, is a world wide athletic community with State, Regional, National, and International organizations.  Masters Track and Field contests all of the events normally found in Olympic and Collegiate track and field meets.  On the International level, Masters age groups begin at 35 and go every five years: 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, etc…. So, if you’re a man who is 53, you would compete in the “M50” age group.  A woman who is 48 would compete in the “W45” age group.  Now they have 'sub-masters' divisions at Nationals for 25-29, and 30-34. 

Most every nation has a governing body for the sport.  For example, in the US, it "USA Track and Field" (USATF).  For Australia it is "Australian Masters Athletics.”  For the World, it is "World Master Athletics" (WMA).   The WMA is sanctioned by the IAAF as the governing body for World Masters Athletics (IAAF is the International Association of Athletics Federations -  the international governing body for the sport of athletics, Olympic athletics competition, etc..) 

WMA classifies events as:

- Stadia: Those athletic events that are generally held within the Stadium usually running events on an oval track, and jumping and throwing events held on various specialized fields.

- Non-Stadia: Those athletic events that are held outside of the stadium usually on road and/or cross country courses. They are usually the longer distance events.

Stadia events are held typically indoors from Dec - March on 200m tracks, and throughout the year on outdoor 400m tracks.  Indoor track venues are less common and are typically found throughout mostly the Eastern US, Canada, and Europe.  Events specific to indoor track include the 60m dash and the 60m hurdles.  

How do I find out about Masters Track and compete?

1) In the US: Become a member of USATF, and seek out your local USATF state or region web page.   All US states and regions have a chapter of the USATF.   States and regions typically have an annual “Association Meet” that includes all ages and Masters.  Some communities have local track clubs that have "all comers meets” or all ages meets.  Masters usually can compete in the open division in most all ages track meets, and sometimes they have a masters division.  US states are sometimes organized into regional chapters.  For example, there are 3 in NY: Niagara, Adirondack, and Mid-Atlantic.  You can find your association here:

https://www.usatf.org/associations

2) To sign up for races, create an account at the two main registration sites:

Coacho: https://coachoregistration.com/dbi-bin/calendar.pl

Direct Athletics: https://www.directathletics.com/upcoming_meets.html

There are also others like Milesplit.com, and Athletic.net.  Milesplit has a website specific for every state.  For example:

https://ga.milesplit.com/

3) See what others in your age group are doing in the events that you’re interested in.  Join Masters Rankings website to view the full list:

https://www.mastersrankings.com/rankings/

Without a membership, you can view the World #1 ranked in every event and age group, but not the complete list.  Well worth the $25 / yr membership to view the whole list.

4) There are MANY track clubs and meet directors (especially in the SE US) that hold all ages track meets throughout the year.  IF you are a younger or an elite Masters athlete, you can enter college track meets as ‘unattached’ on the registration websites (if meets accept unattached).  A competitive / elite masters athlete is almost never out of place in a DIII college track meet.  Sometimes permission of the meet director is required.  

5) USATF has a National Masters Indoor and Outdoor Championship every year.  In 2021, it is July 21-25 in Ames, Iowa.  WMA has alternating Indoor and Outdoor Championships in alternating years.  The next World Masters Championship is in Tampere, Finland, June 26 - July 7.  NO QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.  Anyone can enter.  If you enter, you are automatically issued your nation’s Olympic team uniform.   They have multiple rounds to glean the most competitive:  Prelims, Semis, and Finals.  Even if you don’t make the finals, it’s great to participate and represent your country.  It’s a great way to see the world.  

Contact me if you have questions:

- Bill

concertguitar@comcast.net