JK8K
Dedicated to Jim Kurtz
Jim was a very dear and great friend. He was always thinking of others. Gave his free time constantly. He was a fellow runner who was quite competitive and always humble with his successes.
To honor his life we established the JK8K cross country race to celebrate his kindness and generosity and his undying devotion to his family.
Striders in Action
Alan’s World
Alan has been sharing some personal reflections with us, and we’d like to share them with you…
Alan Olsen
Age 53 at the 102nd Penn Relays
On April 28,1995, I was standing in a pouring rainstorm and driving wind as a member of the World Class Track Club to compete in the 4 Laps by 400 Meters Relay. The name being arrogantly chosen by the 4 of us because we believed we would win no matter how good or how many teams we would compete against. Team members in order of running were Dennis Duffy, me, Dave Walter, and Steve Robbins, the 400 Meter World Record holder of the challenge to run 400 meters in a time in seconds less than the runner’s age. Steve ran a 51.38 second 400 meters before he turned 51 years 5 months. (5/12=0.42) His record still stands. The closest to Steve’s record is 51-year-old Moses Naidoo 400-meter time in 2024 of 51.45. Close but no cigar.
My point is with Steve running anchor on our team we were highly likely to win. The final minutes leading our turn to run seemed like ages. With thousands of spectators in the University of Pennsylvania stands, we were all amped so high before the race everyone’s pulse rate was about 130 just standing there in the rain waiting.
The other teams knew all about Steve by his 50-54 master’s world records in the sprints (50, 60, 100, 200, and the World Record in 400 meters in 51.62. FYI: Now the WR for the 50-54 age group men’s masters 400 meters is 50.51 by Juan Luis Lopez Anaya from Spain, 11 hundredths of a second faster.
The 6 other teams in our 400-meter race all tried to order the runners on their teams so that they would be ahead of us after 3 laps. In other words, they put their fastest 3 runners on laps 1,2,3.
Their strategy worked. One team was in 1st place after 3 laps. They had a 20–25-meter lead when Steve took the baton. Since I had run the 2nd leg, I was rested enough to watch Steve take the baton and scoot. What a treat!
Steve gained on the 1st place guy so fast that he passed him right at the 200 meters mark and floated home to win by about 25 meters.
With a name as presumptuous and egotistical as World Class Track Club, it’s good thing we won.
In terms of sheer numbers of participants and fans, the Penn Relays is the largest track meet in the United States with over 600 relay races being run for all ages of runners during the 3-day event. Approximately 400 teams from high schools, colleges, universities, and track clubs from all over the US go test their metal at this annual Philadelphia event.
Pictured left to right are Steve Robbins (53), Dave Walter (51), Dennis Duffy (53), and Alan Olson (53).
L to R: Steve Robbins (53), Dave Walter (51), Dennis Duffy (53), and Alan Olson (53)
USATF San Diego Imperial Open/Master’s Track and Field Championships 2025
We recently heard from Ed Rose, who competed at the USATF San Diego Imperial Open/Master’s Track and Field Championships at Cuyamaca College (07/13/2025). He had this to say:
… ran on Sunday and did pretty well. Four gold medals, small turnout. Did have a good 400, 1:20.52, 3rd in US and 25th in world, long jump 3.76M, 3rd in US 18th in world, 100 16.42 and 200 34.06 less than expected, paid the price for running 400. No action shots, but here is a picture with my medals.
Ed Rose
(We found plenty of action shots from the meet; check them out.)
STRIDERS AT THE RACES
Keller, Texas saw a Strider on the podium, as Robert Fanjas was the fastest 60+ runner at the WW Military Miles 5K on June 1st – clocking a fine time of 21:11.
Elsewhere, Keith Wetterer has been busy as usual, and filled us in with the following:
I have run two races recently. On May 4, I did the Spring Sprint Duathlon (1 mi. Run, 10 mi. Bike and 5K run. Time: 1:26:40. I won the 80+ age group by default. On May 18 I did the Coronado Bridge Run (4 Mi.) in 38:59 placing first of 11 in the 80+ age group. This Sunday, June 22 I will do the San Diego International Duathlon (1 Mi. Run, 20K bike and 5.6K run. Late July is the Solana Beach Duathlon. I have not yet seen the Dirt Dog sked, but I should be able to do one or more of those. I also plan on the MIssion Bay Duathlon in October and the SD Senior Games Track Meet in September. Good luck to all the Striders this summer. Keith
Following up on his note, we learned that he won the 80+ division at the SDI Duathlon in 1:46:15. Congratulations, Keith!
Finally, we’ve collected the results of Mark Gookin’s efforts over the last 3 months:
4/19 – Bartley Bunny 5K Run, Reno, NV: 1st (65-9), 7th overall; 22:55.67.
4/27 – Lace Up For Learning 5K, Folsom, CA: 2nd overall; 20:33.
5/17 – Polio Purple Pinkie 5K Trail Race, Reno, NV: 1st (60-9), 7th overall; 22:24.
6/07 – Pacific Master’s T&F Championships, Cordova, CA: 800m – 1st (65-9); 2:38.74.
6/15 – Cool Moon 5K Trail Race, Cool, CA: 1st (60-9), 3rd overall; 27:08.
6/22 – Burton Creek 6K Trail Run, Tahoe City, CA: 1st (65-9), 4th overall; 29:45.
Well done! Mark is planning on running at the USATF Master’s Outdoor T&F Championships later in July, so we’ll try to get his report posted when we can. Good Luck!
Robert Fanjas @ Military Miles
Mark @ The Pacific Master’s w/Brent Cushenberry (1st (65-9), 2000m Steeplechase)
Mark @ The Lace Up For Learning Race (w/ Beau)