Fueled by last season’s frustrations of missing out on the Masters 200m world record, 53-year-old sprinter Garth Robinson made history at the Indiana University Early Bird Indoor Meet on Saturday, shattering Masters Age Group records in both the 60m dash and 200m dash.
In the preliminary round of the 60m dash, Robinson blazed through the track, clocking an extraordinary time of 7.09. This not only secured an American age-group record but also set the stage for an exceptional day of competition. The seasoned sprinter continued his historic run in the 200m dash, posting an unofficial world age-group record time of 22.93.
If ratified, Robinson’s marks will replace Val Barnwell’s record of 7.13 set in 2009 and William Collins’ 200m mark set 22.99 set in March 2003.
In July, Robinson just missed out on Willie Gault’s 200m world outdoor record of 22.44 when he ran 22.59s into a heavy headwind of -1.6m/s at the USATF Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships in North Carolina. It was a common theme throughout the season.
Robinson, who revealed that he still has Gault’s record as a goal this season, cited the frustration of missing out on the record last season because of unfavourable environmental conditions, as a driving force behind his ambitions for the new season. "So I was a little frustrated saying I can't really get lucky to have the wind behind me. The one time I had the wind behind me, it was too much. That was when I ran a 10.88 (in July)," he shared, highlighting the challenges he faced in outdoor competitions last season.
"These are just personal goals. It's coming from when I used to run back in the day, and you know I've had a few accomplishments that I'm happy for, but I just wanted something more, something more personal, a world record."
Reflecting on his preparation, Robinson explained how he managed to maintain his fitness during the off season. “I was in good shape from the outdoors, I just transitioned with just taking it easy but mindful that I'm still in shape,” he said.
"I play in a volleyball league. Sometimes I mess around doing that and soccer sometimes. So like cross-training is something different from track and field, but I was still lifting, I was still running at the core part of my activities," Robinson added, shedding light on his comprehensive approach to training.
Robinson also got his weight down to something, he said, is more manageable. "Well, so going into Kentucky, which was the first year I did Masters, I was almost 200 lbs., and then when I competed last year, I think I was maybe 173. So I lost a lot of weight, tremendous a lot of weight in a short piece of time," he shared, highlighting the dedication to managing his weight effectively.
The former GC Foster College and Oral Roberts University alum explained that he also worked to tackle some of his shortcomings stating, "One of my weaknesses was my start because, you know, back in the day, I did the 400, and developed a habit of running 300 repeats in which the start doesn't have to be that emphasized."
He detailed the adjustments made to his training, incorporating explosive starts and shorter, more intense workouts.
As he looks ahead, Robinson remains focused on his journey, with an unrelenting determination to achieve his goals. "I plan to run more races. I have one this weekend at Principia College, just up the street from me," the Missouri resident he revealed, emphasizing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of Masters athletics.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Honouring Hubert Lawrence: Jamaica Observer’s Paul Reid accepts Jesse Abramson Award on behalf of late colleague
In a poignant moment during Saturday’s final day of 128th edition of the Penn Relays, veteran sports journalist Paul Reid accepted the prestigious Jesse Abramson Award on behalf of his late friend, brother, and colleague, Hubert Lawrence. The ceremony, tinged with both celebration and remembrance, highlighted Lawrence's unparalleled contributions to track and field journalism and his lasting impact on the sport.
"It's an absolute honour to receive the Jesse Abramson Award for excellence in track and field journalism on behalf of Hubert Lawrence," expressed Reid, who was the first Jamaican sports journalist to receive the award in 2010.
"This award was long overdue given Hubert's outstanding body of work, particularly at the Penn Relays, which he covered for over 25 years. Hubert would have cherished this moment, especially witnessing Excelsior's historic win after nearly 60 years."
Excelsior High School won the Championship of America High School Boys 4x100m in a time of 40.45. It was the first time they were winning the event since they last claimed victory in 1967.
Reid's emotional words encapsulated the deep bond shared with Lawrence, who passed away suddenly on February 23, 2024. The Penn Relays marked a poignant occasion for both friends, whose coverage of the event spanned more than three decades. "He (Lawrence) would have pulled up a long list of statistics and facts," Reid remarked in reference to Excelsior historic win. "It was surreal standing there on the infield during the ceremony as I had missed my award in 2010 because I had no idea that I was being awarded and was busy working at the time. Hubert leaves a massive legacy and he is missed every day, especially at track and field meets."
The decision to honour Lawrence posthumously was prompted by Irwin Clare of Team Jamaica Bickle, a longstanding supporter of Jamaican and Caribbean athletes at the Penn Relays.
"With his untimely passing, we felt this was an extremely appropriate time to honour someone who had such a profound impact on track and field in Jamaica and at the Penn Relays," remarked Aaron Robison, the meet director of the Penn Relays. "Hubert was universally respected and admired, not only by athletes and coaches but also by the entire media fraternity. His integrity and dignity in reporting earned him admiration from all quarters of the sport."
Lawrence's legacy transcended journalism, resonating deeply with athletes and coaches who held him in high regard for his professionalism and genuine passion for track and field.
The posthumous recognition underscores the enduring influence of his work and the profound loss felt by the athletics community. As Reid stood on the infield, accepting the award, the void left by Lawrence's absence was palpable, a testament to the indelible mark he made in the world of sports journalism.
In honouring Hubert Lawrence with the Jesse Abramson Award, the Penn Relays celebrated not only a remarkable journalist but also a cherished friend and colleague whose legacy continues to inspire and resonate within the track and field community.
KC wins third straight Championship of America 4x400m title at Penn Relays; JC wins 4x800m
Kingston College made it three Championship of America 4x400m titles in a row with a comfortable win in the event on the third and final day of the 128th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Their quartet of Antonio Forbes, Amal Glasgow, Roshawn Lee and Marcinho Rose combined to run 3:11.86 to win ahead of Excelsior (3:12.94) and Bullis School (3:13.10).
Elsewhere, Jamaica College won their second Championship of America 4x800m relay in three years.
Their team of Nellie Amberton, Samuel Creary, Rasheed Pryce and Kemarrio Bygrave produced a time of 7:42.37 to win ahead of St. John’s College (7:44.66) and Central Bucks West (7:45.99).
Excelsior leads Jamaican 1-2-3 in Championship of America High School Boys 4x100m at Penn Relays
Excelsior High emerged victorious in the Championship of America High School Boys 4x100m on the third and final day at the 128th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Their quartet of Ryeem Walker, Damor Miller, Malike Nugent and Lennon Green combined to run 40.45 to secure the school’s first win in the event since 1967.
Kingston College (Daniel Clarke, Yourie Lawrence-Clarke, Nyrone Wade, Marcinho Rose) were second in 40.53 and Herbert Morrison (Ky-Mani Hemmings, Tavaine Stewart, Chance Segree, De Andre Daley) completed a Jamaican 1-2-3 with 40.56 in third.
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