Karen Steen traveled from Olympia (WA) to the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh intent on setting a world record in the 2000-meter steeplechase, and she did just that in one of the most exciting races at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships. 2009 US Masters. Six world records and 21 American records were set at the meeting.
Steen, a standout runner from Pacific Lutheran University and now one of the leading runners in the Pacific Northwest, jumped to the front of Titan Stadium as the gun went off to start her 45-49 age group event. It was clear from the start that if Steen set a world record in the blistering Wisconsin heat, she would run alone in front.
She was among more than 1,000 athletes ages 30 to 95 and older who competed in this 4-day competition to determine the best of the best among the nation’s runners, jumpers and throwers.
Spectators of Steen’s record-breaking effort, myself included, were immediately aware of his presence, as the track announcer was quick to point out that after the first 400 meters of this grueling 5-lap, 3-hurdle, and a water barrier on every lap, Steen was on world record pace.
Watching her progress for 3 more laps, fans shouted words of encouragement as she passed, and then an enthusiastic crescendo greeted her in the final stretch as she realized the record was hers and roared in 7:07.49 to break it. the old record by more than 9 seconds (7:16.90 by Julie Leonard of Switzerland in 2004).
Almost lost in the moment of Karen Steen’s triumphant performance was the fact that both race runner-up Andi Camp (30-34 at 7:17.28) and 3rd-place finisher Lisa Valle (40-44 at 7:17.36) – were 1 second away from breaking the world record.
Steen, who averaged about 5:42 per mile, is no stranger to world records. In 2005, he set the world record for the 2000 meter steeplechase in the 40-44 group by running 7:05.06.
Steen, who runs for the Northwest Club, would return 2 days later to win the 1500 in an American record time of 4:48.08. His individual performance was arguably the best among all-times of any track athlete at Nationals, with a 98.85% age grade rating.
A close second to Karen Steen’s effort came from Houston’s Sabra Harvey, running in the 60-64 pack. Harvey matched Steen’s world record with one of her own, winning the 800 in 2:34.66, then recaptured the 1,500 in an American record 5:22.50.
Harvey is a graphic designer who started running 9 years ago and only started competing in the masters competition last year, proving once again that you never know what you can do until you try.
Other world records were set by Audrey Lary (75-79) in the 400 (1:27.41), Florence “Flo” Meiler (75-79) in the 80m hurdles (18.63), Frank Levine (95-99) in the 5,000 (50:10.56), and Leland McPhie (95-99) in the Long Jump (1.93 meters / 6-04).
Flo Meiler also set American records in the 200 hurdles (46.68) and the pentathlon (4,783 points); Becky Sisley (70-74) in 80 hurdles (17:32), 200 hurdles (43.87) and javelin (26.09m/85-07); Leland McPhie in the 3kg shot put (6.87m/22-06.5) and triple jump (4.00m/13-01.5); Max Springer (95-99) in the 100 (29.31) and 400 (2:45.36); and Audrey Lary (75-79) in triple jump (7.43 m/24-04.25) and shot put (10.40 m/34-01.5).
Bruce McBarnette (45-49) set the most US records in field events in the high jump (1.93m/6-04); Robert Ward (75-79) on disc (41.18m/135-01); Harriett Bloemker (75-79) in javelin (22.54m/73-11.5); and 4 others in shot put: Jennifer Stephens (35-39) at 10.49m/34-05, Myrle Mensey (60-64) at 15.73m/51-07.75, Lillian Snaden (80-84 ) at 6.92m/22 -08, and Ronald Summers (55-59) at 18.18m/57-07.75.
Shirley Dockstader (75-79) in 34:34.60 and John Starr (80-84) in 33:57.72 set two US records for the 5,000-meter walk.
Kathryn (Kathy) Martin (55-59), who dominated last year’s meet and won gold medals in the 800, 1500, 5,000, 10,000 and 2,000-meter hurdles, again won all 4 events she entered this year : The 1500 (5:22.93), 5,000 (19:46.47), 10,000 (40:04.03) and 2,000 hurdles (8:26.86) Finished 5th overall in the hurdle race and 1st in her age group. Last year, Martin set the American record in the steeple with a time of 8:23.20.
Among the record-breaking performances that caught my eye were Lonnie Hooker (45-49) in the 100 (10.93) and 200 (22.46); Bill Collins (55-59) in the 100 (11.56) and 400 (54.87); Steve Robbins (65-69) in the 100 (12.66); Antwon Dussett (30-34) in the 400 (47.17); Steve Gallegos (50-54) in the 800 (2:10.70) and 1,500 (4:22.47); Christine Olen (40-44) in the 1,500 (4:45.98); Jan Frisby (M65-69) in the 1,500 (5:09.25) and 5,000 (19:20.54); and Tom Bernhard (55-59) in the 5,000 (17:06.84).
Others included Richard Cochran (70-74) in discus (47.79 m), Cochran won the bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics; and Ed Burke (65-69) on the hammer (50.62), Burke was a 3-time Olympian and flag-bearer for Team USA at the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley