MASTERS MEETS
There are many track meets available to masters track and field athletes, if you look at the various calendars that are available. One excellent source for meet listings is at masterstrack.com. Check the MEETS section of the website and find the country and region you are interested. Within a region, there are major meets featured and if you click by state (at the bottom) you will find all the meets currently listed in the USATF calendar. Most masters meets are conducted in five year age groups starting at age 30.
ALL COMERS MEETS
There are many informal meets, better known as "all-comers meets" located throughout the United States. Typically, they are inexpensive low key events for all ages and all levels of ability. A great way to get started, to learn a news event, or to prepare for more advanced competition. Local running clubs and running stores often have information about these meets and TRACKINFO.ORG also has a comprehensive list of all-comers meets on-line.
SENIOR GAMES
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) was established in 1985. Every year the NSGA and its affiliates conduct competions known as senior olympics in each state. The senior olympics are multi-sport competitions, which include track and field, and are open to athletes who are 50 years or older. Every two years (odd numbered) the NSGA conducts a National Senior Olympics Championships. To compete in that event, athletes must qualify in an NSGA state championship the previous years. For more info click: NSGA
STATE GAMES
The state games are a network of Olympic-style multi-sport competitions, open to all ages and conducted in age-groups, under the auspices of the National Congress of State Games (NCSG). Each year, over 400,000 athletes of all levels of ability participate in the stage games. Every other year (odd numbered) the NCSG hosts a national championship event known as the State Games of America. Medal winners from the 49 state games held nationwide are eligble to compete in the national championships. For more info, visit: NCSG
MASTERS INVITATIONAL EVENTS
There are a limited number of masters invitational events every year. Typically, these are selected masters events which are included in larger meets. In most cases, the masters fields are limited in size and an application process is required to participate. For more information, see MASTERS INVITATIONALS. Also USATF Masters has an invitational program, with INFO available on-line.
USATF NATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
Every year, there are regular local, regional and national masters championship events sponsored by USATF. There are no minimum entry standards required to participate in any of these meets, but membership in USATF is a requirement and advanced registration is often necessary. National Masters Championships include indoor and outdoor national track and field championsips, heptathlon and decathlon, race walking, and thows pentathlons all conducted for men and women 30 years and older competing in five year age groups. Information about all these meets including location, contact info, registration info and past results can be found on the National Meet info page of the MASTERSTRACK.COM web site.
WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
World Masters Athletics (WMA) is the organization designated by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to conduct the worldwide sport of Masters Track and Field. In alternating years WMA conducts outdoor world masters championships (odd numbered) and indoor world masters championships (even numbered). WMA also sanctions regional championships for masters track and field athletes. For more info about WMA visit: WMA
There are no qualifying standards to enter the WMA championships. Athletes age 35 and over compete in five year age groups. American athletes must be members of USATF and must wear USATF sanctioned uniforms.
Entry deadline for the next WMA Championships in Lahti, Finland is May 15, 2009.
Entry information can be found at: 2009 WMA CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WORLD MASTERS GAMES CHAMPIONSHIPS
World Masters Games are international Olympic-style competitions conducted by the International Masters Games Associaition (IMGA) every four years for athletes age 40 and over. The IMGA operates under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). There are no qualifying standards for the World Masters Games. The next World Masters Games Championships will be held October 10-18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. For more information, click 2009 WORLD MASTERS GAMES.
OPEN EVENTS
There are many open and college track meets which accept masters athletes. In most cases, masters athletes compete against younger athletes without the benefit of age group segregation. To enter open events, contact the meet director in advance to insure that masters athletes are allowed to compete.
FOREIGN COMPETITIONS
There are masters track and field meets all over the world. Some are open to all athletes regardless of nationality, while others are restricted to citizens of the host country. The USATF Masters Championships meets are open to all athletes, as are the championships of Canada and Ireland. Check with the national governing body to determine what nationality restrictions may apply.
OTHER RESOURCES
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