Stride Ahead Running ••• Ken

~Canadian Masters Athletics Championships~ For my last indoor races in my current age category I set ambitious goals for myself to run under the old meet records for 2 of my 3 races.
Day 1: 800m -Silver (achieved above time goal)
200m -Gold (ran this distance to try something new)
Day2: 400m -Gold (new meet record)

Multi-club collaboration by Paul, Scott,Ken & Ken for the MB. 4x100m relay record attempt in the masters M45-49 age class at the Bison Twilight meet last week.

Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships Manitoba athletes enjoyed Laval’s hospitality this weekend and were all able to bring home some medals!

The last race of the indoor track season in the new facility in Gainesville for the ‘World Master Indoor Athletics Championships’.
A couple of weeks later the first outdoor meet of the season at the ‘Hayward Classic’ Masters meet on the historic Hayward field (a venue on my bucket list to race on) with my family in the stands, in the city referred to as TrackTown USA.

Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships
A small but hard working contingent from Manitoba showed up and made their mark. Gord - Ken - Darcey
The CMA Championships were a fun 3 hot days in Laval, QC. where they will be held again in 2025.

Athletics Manitoba annual awards night. Some pics of Masters athletes that could attend the Gala.
1) Outstanding male nominees: Michael Morris, Ken Friesen; not attending were Claude Faucher & Greg Athayde(the winner after an outstanding year!)
2) Set provincial records: Jason Neill, Sam Zhou, Michael M., Ken F.
3) Medaled in a National Championship meet: Sam Z., Jason N., Omena Babalola., Michael M., Ken F.
4) Performance cards were made for each athlete.
A very nice evening hosted by Athletics Manitoba!

Good weekend for Manitoba at Canadian Masters Indoor T&F Championships.
1) All 6 of us prior to racing: Greg A., Gord F., Michael M., Omena B., John C. & Ken F.
2) We all medaled: John, Greg, Michael, Ken, Gord (missing Omena).
3) some 800m action.
4) a shot of “Ken’s” cone put on the track after my race (don’t ask).
Hopefully more Manitoba athletes join us for the outdoor championship mid-August in Langley B.C.!
Thanks to Doug Shaggy Smith for all the action shots!

I had an exciting year of Track & Field capped off with the nomination & selection as the Outstanding Masters Male athlete of the year by Athletics Manitoba.
It was a competitive field with outstanding performances by the other Nominees: Greg Athayde, Dennis Lang & Gordon Flett.
Images show me receiving the award; the performance card; the award; key support crew.
As coaches say: Trust the process (training) and the results (goals) will come.

Last outdoor track meet of the season was the Canadian 55+ Games in Kamloops BC. The Manitoba Mens team of 4 were all in different age categories and represented our province well. (as did our 2 Womens members which unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of).
First picture in order is Alphonse B, Leon C, Ken F & Greg A.
A fun way to end the season 👟👟🔥🎉

Leon - Gold M75-80 - 800, 1500, 3000, Silver 5K
Alphonse - Gold M70-74 - 1500, 3000
Ken - Gold M65-69 - 400, 800, 1500, 3000
Greg - Gold M60-64 - 200, 400, 800, Silver 1500

Canadian Masters Athletics Championship was in Regina this weekend. Manitoba had a strong showing.
I ran 400 & 1500 on day one, then 5000, 800 & 4x400 on day two.
Came home with 4 gold & 1 silver medal. The relay team set a new meet record for the 60+ age group. Ron Melchiore from Nova Scotia & 3 Manitobans, Ken Friesen, Greg Athayde & George Stewart