Kathryn Martin dominates the track at the 2008 USATF National Gathering of Teachers
Kathryn (Kathy) Martin, who won 5 national titles in the 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000 meter races, and set an American record in the 2000 meter steeplechase. The 56-year-old from Northport (NY) was virtually unstoppable in the 55-59 age group competition.
The United States Athletics sanctioned meeting was held on August 2. 7-10 on the Spokane Falls Community College track, one of the best, if not the best, dedicated track venues among the nation’s community colleges. Most of the tracks are built around a more popular sports venue, such as soccer. At Spokane Falls Community College, it is clear that track and field competition is a primary concern.
Kathy Martin won all 5 titles in 4 days battling 90+ degree temperatures at the 2,000+ foot elevation of Spokane in dry heat and no humidity.
His closest race was the 800 which he won in 2: 38.56 with runner-up Coreen Steinbach from Pompey (NY) less than a second away. Martin’s biggest margin of victory came in the 5000, which he won in 19: 09.20, almost 2 minutes ahead of his closest competitor.
Martin’s two iconic races, the 1500 and the 10,000, left little doubt as to who was in charge on the track. He won the 10,000 in 41: 13.60, slower than his American age group record of 39: 37.78 set last year. He also holds the current national record of 37: 12.23 set in 2004 in the 50-54 age group.
Martin, who looks like a very fast perpetual motion machine, ran away from his competition in the 1500s, winning in 5: 13.49 by more than 12+ seconds and with a time less than a second slower than his current American record of 5: 12.62 established. last year. He also holds the current national record of 4: 52.55 set in 2002 in the 50-54 age group.
The icing on her 5-layer cake came on her apparent first attempt at the 2000-meter obstacle course when she set a national record at 8: 23.20, demolishing the 8: 37.7 mark of 7-year-old Marie Michelsohn set in 2001.
Kathy Martin is an inspiring treadmill that continues to rank as one of America’s best middle distance runners in teacher competitions.
Three other competitors, including two American record holders, were doubly winners in the main race events in the competition.
Seattle’s Stephen Robbins won the 65-69 age group 100 in 12.56 and set a new American record in the 200 at 25.36, breaking Paul Johnson’s mark of 25.76 set in 2001. Robbins set the current American record 100 (pending) of 12.37 earlier in August.
Nolan Shaheed of Pasadena, CA (55-59) won the 1500 in 4: 44.38 and the 5000 in 17: 00.60. Shaheed holds the same American age group record of 4: 20.76 set in 2004. Nolan Shaheed also holds the world teacher record of 4: 27.9 in the mile for the 50-54 age group, which he set in 2000.
Don Coffman of Stamping Ground, KY (65-69) was the third double winner, taking the 5,000 in 19: 10.26 and the 10,000 in 39: 16.00, more than 6 full minutes faster than his closest competitor.
Other notable performances from age groups included:
Aaron Thigpen of Brentwood, CA (40-44) with 11.00 in the 100.
Renee Henderson of Merchantville, NJ (40-44) with 12.31 in the 100.
Lonnie Hooker of Upper Marlboro, MD (45-49) with 22.58 in the 200.
Jai Black of San Diego, CA (45-49) with a 1: 02.15 at the 400.
Courtney Muhammad of Mesa, AZ (45-49) with 51.41 in the 400.
Neil Fitzgerald of New York, NY (40-44) with a 1: 59.51 in the 800.
James Morton of Springfield, MA (50-54) with a 2: 04.89 in the 800.
Lisa Valle of Albuquerque, NM (40-44) with a 2: 20.35 in the 800.
Jim Selby of Fallbrook, CA (80-84) with a 3: 19.10 in the 800.
Kevin Forde of Philadelphia, PA (40-44) with a 4: 10.78 at 1500.
Christine Olen of Boise, ID (40-44) with a 4: 53.50 in the 1500.
Mike Stickley of Winchester, VA (45-49) with a 16: 10.70 in the 5000.
Susan Empey of Mercer Island, WA (40-44) with an 18: 17.47 in the 5000.
Richard Becker of Selah, WA (50-54) with a 34: 22.94 in the 10,000.
Alyssa Tower of Vancouver, WA (45-49) with a 38: 21.83 in the 10,000.
Karen Steen of Olympia, WA (40-44) with a 7: 24.59 in the 2000 steeplechase.
Ronald Pate of Honolulu, HI (60-64) with an 8: 44.84 in the 2000 steeplechase.
Essie Faria of Miami, FL (70-74) with a 14: 37.24 in the 2000 steeplechase.
Kevin Stover of York, PA (40-44) with a 10: 45.96 in the 3000 steeplechase.
Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley