2019 World Masters Indoor Championships

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In Their Words

Roman Marenin

In March I was able to compete for Team USA across a few different events at the World Masters Indoor Track & Field Indoor Championships held in Torun, Poland.
 
This was my second time representing Team USA at an international level with my first coming in September at the outdoor championships in Malaga, Spain.  In Spain, I pulled my hamstring during my prelim race and was disappointed at the outcome, especially after I felt I could have been competitive in the finals.  While that meet didn't end how I would have liked, I let that motivate me as I targeted the indoor championships a few months down the line.
 
While the hamstring issued persisted for some time, I was able to train through it for the most part and get ready for this meet.  I don't think I was quite in the shape I wanted to be in, but as the championships approached I began to feel better on a daily basis.  My first event was the 400, which I thought I would be most competitive in.  Fortunately, prelims, semi-finals, and finals were all held on consecutive days which saved the wear and tear on my legs. I was able to qualify from the prelims and semi-finals without over exerting myself which gave me some confidence, to go along with my nerves, for the final.  I was able to execute my race plan as I have hoped, and while I went out a little too fast, I was able to secure a big enough lead and power through the finish for the victory.  Catching an American flag from the crowd and walking around with it on the track, and standing on the podium while the national anthem played, are easily top 5 moments in my life and I was honored to be able to achieve those dreams.  Later in the week I took part in the 200 meter and 60 meter hurdle races and was able to qualify for both finals, which was a bit of a shock in the 200 meters.  Unfortunately, it also meant I had 4 races in a single day with a lot of warming up and cooling down and that took it's toll on me.  In the hurdle final, I came up to close to the first hurdle and smashed it and that was the end of the race for me unfortunately.  About 45 minutes later I had the 200 final and while my legs weren't fresh I was hoping I could snag a bronze.  Unfortunately, I missed out by .08 seconds and was a little disappointed by that.  But I had to set that aside as I had the 4x200 meter relay the next day to close out the meet.  I was joined by Durran Dunn, Marques Johnson, and Antwon Dussett (M40) to represent team USA and we were able to bring home another gold!
 
The week overall exceeded all expectations that I had and was an absolute amazing experience.  The overarching theme was camaraderie and support as even though many of us competed against each other, we're also supportive of each other and encouraging each other to perform well and do our best.  That has been the most consistent characteristic across all of the masters meets I've taken part in and it was great to see that at the international level as well.  I look forward to growing the friendships I created with Americans and international competitors alike as I continue this journey for a long time to come.

Marianne Martino

The Torun meet was not at all on my schedule, for many reasons. Then I became aware of the financial aid program from USATF Masters, and the fact that with me participating a Team medal was a possibility. I had to go. I had to decide within two days of the entry deadline.
 
I knew that I would be up against some of the same competitors from Malaga (2018 WMA Outdoor Championships in ), all very strong. My first event, 3,000m track walk, turned out fair, taking a bronze medal, and I was just a bit faster than at the National meet in Winston Salem earlier in March.
 
As I prefer road racing and longer distances I felt that I could do better in the 10km road event. I was able to pull ahead of the athletes from France and Australia, with only the woman from Spain in front of me. I was inching closer, but not enough, and had to settle for a silver medal, but with a much faster time than my 10km in Malaga in September. Best part was, that yes, Team USA took bronze in this race!
 
So, from not going to bringing home 3 medals this turned out to be a wonderful experience.
 
It is always exciting to be with so many like-minded people and you can't help but dial into that energy! GO TEAM USA! 

Roger Sayre

I was honored to run for Team USA at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Toruń, Poland last month. This was my first time representing the USA in an international competition, and based on performance over the past two years at national championship and road races I was eligible for travel assistance through a USATF Masters Rewards Program. Going in I was hoping to be competitive but not sure how it would all play out. I knew the competition for medals would be fierce. On Monday in the 8K cross country race  I was able to break away from the chase pack and catch up to the leaders and finished with a hard fought Bronze Medal. And on Saturday I lined up for the half marathon feeling that maybe I could win but everything would need to be in my favor. I surged at 8K and was able to gap my age group competitors, exceeding my own "best case" expectations by 30 seconds, and ran a 1:17:49 for the Gold Medal. Winning a Bronze Medal in the team race (I dropped down to the 50-54 class for that) was a bonus and a huge thrill. Medals aside, representing the USA was everything you could hope for. I would also like to acknowledge Colorado USATF and my club the Boulder Road Runners, because it begins here at home. I made many new friends from the USA and from countries throughout the world, and perhaps that was the best of all. 

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