Four Striders made the trip to the delightful island of Madeira for the European Masters Track & Field Championships.  Held every two years, it is a competition for athletes aged 35 years and over, with fierce competition in all the age groups.  As well as all the track and field events, the championship also features road and cross country races.

Given its mountainous nature it’s impressive that Madiera has three running tracks, with pride of place going to the stunning Ribeira Brava stadium.

 

There was medal success for all our athletes

Jed Turner has recently moved into the M65 age category.  He took full advantage of his youthfulness with an excellent victory in the 1500m, cracking the 5 minute barrier at the same time.  He returned later in the week for his favoured 800m event, leading all the way up to the line in an excellent 2.22.56 but just being pipped for gold by 0.06 of a second by a fast finishing Icelandic athlete.

Fiona Jeffries opted for the cross country, linking up with two W50 athletes to claim a bronze medal in the team event.

Louise Rowley was seventh W70 in the cross country event and linked up with Dot Kesterton and Lyn Jenkins to claim the bronze team medal.  She then took a fine individual bronze in the 10k race, and again linked up with Dot for team gold.

Photo courtesy of Anne Hegarty

Dot Kesterton has written her own account of the event, but came home with more bling than the Oval Office.  I dread to think what her excess luggage costs were for the trip back.

Age is definitely no barrier in these competitions.  I felt a bit sorry for Spain’s Vicente Peralta Montañana who clocked a pretty decent 26.61 in the M90 100 metres competition and still missed out on a medal (he did return later in the week to claim bronze in the 200 metres so I guess he still went h).

Steel City Results