Presidents Message - March 2010
February has been a very busy month with a great variety of performances and achievements. Sue Hanek is to be congratulated on rounding up a magnificent array of relay runners for our postal relays and the runners themselves are to be Congratulated for their keen competition. At the highly successful relay meet on Wednesday 10 February TMA members looked particularly impressive in green and gold as they participated alongside other clubs, even winning against much younger runners. As the evening cooled and the light began to fade we were treated to a thrilling attempt by our 800 relay women to break the record. They missed by a Whisker - better luck next time but a fine performance!
Congratulations to the age winners and the four athletes with over 80%, for the Inaugural Run the Bridge which gives distance runners in Hobart a new and exciting Event. Well done to all who participated.
It was also thrilling to see TMA athletes, such as recent Masters Australian record-breaker Stephen Rae, participating in the Friday evening Briggs Classic. Francesca Smith won the Handicap Mile and Suzy Cole - teacher and mother of six - was Striding it out with all the young elites, cutting seconds off her own PB and breaking the Australian Masters 800 record.
TMA members also help out at various other events such as the recent Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games. TMA member, Inspector Mark Beech-Jones, was the Meet Director.
Thanks to the Masters officials who set out the cross country course and to those who officiated in other capacities. Masters were invited to participate in the cross country event and enjoyed the difficult but rewarding course on a fine, hot day.
Very best of luck to Amanda Coombe as she departs warm Tasmania for cold Kamloops in Canada to compete in the 4th World Masters Indoors Championships - the only athlete to have ever represented Tasmania in this indoors event.
The rest of us are preparing for the two pentathlons on March 14 and the TMA State Championships on March 27/28. The entry form and program have been late this year because of the necessary liaison with AT to slot our program into theirs. We look forward to the TMA Championships which will have a greater sense of atmosphere with the advantage of experienced officiating as well as a sense of being part of the wider body of athletics in Tasmania.
Finally, a special thank you to Wayne French who has kindly agreed to be our Equipment Officer. We welcome him to our committee and greatly appreciate his willingness to check and care for all our implements
Lynne Andrews
Steve and Charon Foster's son Ryan sets an Aussie Indoor track record in the US
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