Smith Sets American 400m Record at USATF Masters Indoor Championships

Results

The 2024 USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships concluded on Sunday (26-Mar) in Chicago.  15 members of USATF Colorado competed in 33 events during the four-day competition that started on Thursday. 

USATF Colorado member athletes won eight national titles and earned 30 visits to the awards podium for finishing in the top three in their event.

Mary Smith (Centennial State TC) ran to an American record in the women's 80-84 400m stopping the clock at 1:32.75. The previous record of 1:34.25 was set in 2014 by Irene Obera. Smith also won the 200m in a time of 39.56.

Elizabeth Bitz (unattached) and John Roeske (Boulder Road Runners) also won multiple titles. Bitz, won three titles in the women's 35-39 division, as the won the High Jump (4-7), Pole Vault (6-4¾), and Pentathlon (1555 pts.). She also finished second in the Triple Jump, fourth in the Shot Put and fifth in the Long Jump. Roeske won the men's 75-79 1 mile (6:40.61) and 3000m (13:09.07) races. He also finished second in the 800m and third in the 400m.

The final national title was won by Robert Coleman III in the men's 85-89 60m. Coleman stopped the clock at 10.79. 

Other athletes with multiple visits to the award podium for their top three placings were: Christel Donley (W85 - 2nd High Jump, 2nd Long Jump, 2nd Triple Jump, 3rd 60m, 3rd Shot Put),  Marianne Martino (W70 - 2nd 1 Mile Race Walk, 2nd 3000m Race Walk), Chris McDonald (M55 - 2nd 800m, 2nd 1 Mile), and Mateo Montoya-Collis (M40 - 2nd Pole Vault, 3rd Pentathlon).

The top age graded score was turned in by Thal Woods (Alpha and Omega Athletics) who finished second in the M45 60m running 7.26; scoring 91.62 on the age grading scales. Scores of over 90 are classified as world-class performance. In the qualifying round he ran 7.27 scoring 91.49. Chris McDonald's time in the 800m (2:13.75) scored 88.97. The top age graded score by the Colorado women was turned in by Marianne Martino as her 19:21.25 in the 3000m Race Walk converted to a 89.09 aged graded score. Smith's 400m time converted to a 88.41 AG score.  

Athletes scoring over 80.00 on the age grading tables (indicating their performances were classified as national-class) were:

Thal Woods (M45 60m, 7.26) - 91.62
Thal Woods (M45 60m 1st rd, 7.27) - 91.49
Marianne Martino (W70 3000m Race Walk, 19:21.25) - 89.09
Chris McDonald (M55 800m, 2:13.75) - 88.87
Mary Smith (W80 400m, 1:32.75) - 88.41
Chris McDonald (M55 1 Mile, 4:59.36) - 87.64
John Borthwick (M60 800m, 2:22.99) - 86.62
John Borthwick (M60 1 Mile, 5:22.74) - 84.87
Mattie Freeman (W40 60m, 8.24) - 84.45
Bob Cottrell (M60 400m, 1:02.62) - 84.21
Roland Kafuuma (M45 60m, 8.12) - 83.64
Mattie Freeman (W40 60m 1st rd, 8.33) - 83.53
Mary Smith W80 (200m, 39.56) - 82.52
Bob Cottrell M60 (800m, 2:35.08) - 81.76
Robert Coleman III (M85 60m, 10.79) - 80.87
John Roeske (M75 3000m, 13:09.07) - 80.27
Tracey Bernett (W65 1 Mile, 7:04.94) - 80.09

The complete USATF Colorado Results Scoreboard can be found here.