What is Masters Athletics?
Welcome to Masters Track and Field! Everyone 35 years or older is eligible and can compete in Masters T&F, as well as Masters road racing and cross-country. For Masters T&F, no qualifying times are required for any of the meets. Track meets in Nova Scotia are not exclusively for schools or high performance, Masters are always welcomed to enter. Awards for Masters at competitions (where applicable) are given by 5 year age divisions. For example, if you were 59 at last weekend’s meet you would have been in the 55-59 division, but if you turned 60 mid-week, you would then enter the 60-64 age division.
Masters athletes, depending on their age division, sometimes compete in shorter races, lower hurdles, and lighter throwing implements. For example, a Masters woman aged 55-59 races in the 300M rather than the 400M hurdles and throws a 3kg shot put rather than a 4kg one. There are also different rules for Masters. For example, a 40 year old competing in a heat for Masters athletes can have a false start because the no false start rule used in regular races does not apply to a Masters-only race.
At the national and especially international levels, Masters Athletics is quite popular and competitive. These international meets include all T&F events as well as racewalk, and half- and full marathon, and cross-country. Some Nova Scotia athletes will be donning the Canadian singlet and representing Canada!
Masters T&F is in its early stages of development in Nova Scotia. If you want to try it, most meets have a day fee that is very low. If you decide to train and compete for it, you can do so with a club, on your own, or with a Masters training group if one is available in your area.
Contact me anytime! I am the Nova Scotia Director for the Canadian Masters Athletics.
Jo Welch
902-489-8591
circi4sun@gmail.com