– A writeup from Malcolm Weir about his exploits over recent years near the top of the Masters tree
2018
In 2018 I felt my running wasn’t going anywhere. I had gone stale and my enthusiasm was at a low ebb with many of my contemporaries having to retire for various reasons when I started to learn more about Masters running.
The British Masters Athletic Federation was formed to cater for athletes over 35 both male and female. At the time when the organisation was formed, 35 was probably the right age when performances started to dip. Now I am not so sure with times older runner are turning out and the number of athletes who come into the sport at an older age with fresh legs.
Looking further into Masters running, I found that there are eight regional groups covering the UK.
The nearest one to Derbyshire being the Midland Masters which is predominately Birmingham and the west midlands. This did not matter as there is no club training as such with athletes meeting up at the competitive events. The Masters covers all disciplines of running, road, fell or hill, track and country with both regional and national competitions.
I decided to join the Midland Masters and my first competitive race was going to be the Birmingham 10k. This is one of the country’s bigger 10k races and British Masters were using it as a competitive age group competition for their regional groups.
It was a lovely warm May morning along with the elite and younger runners there were older runners from all over the UK. These were in separate male and female age categories, so when the results came out you saw how you had run against runners in your five year age group. I really enjoyed my first race as an official master and started to look forward to more competitions.
Although I had joined Midland Masters, my first, parent club was Belper Harriers and I always run in the Harriers vest which you are allowed to do unless you are in international competition.
More races followed, particularly track races where I found the training easier on the legs than the other disciplines. Running quicker but not so far suited the body, I travelled around with my wife and I ran in open meetings and Masters regional meetings producing times which I never thought I could attain.
2019
The following year I decided to have a go in the British Masters Athletic Championships at Birmingham Alexander Stadium. I had been there a number of times to watch my son and daughter-in-law run in national competitions but I had never been on the track. This was a two day event over the weekend and I entered three events, the 1500 metres on the Saturday and the 5000 metres and 800 metres on the Sunday. I felt ready for the first race, conditions were good but as it was an early race there were not too many spectators. The following day was wet and the 5k was a drag in the rain, clearing later for the 800 metres. Competition was good and camaraderie with the other athletes was great, along with a few medals for my efforts.
The same year I put my name forward for selection to the England team in my age group for the British and Irish International Cross-country Championship. Selection was based on performances throughout the year. I was offered the opportunity to run for England against the other three countries and the Republic of Ireland. This took place at Aintree racecourse Liverpool and this must have been the worst cross-country course I have ran on. Flat, boring and I didn’t run anywhere near my best but a good experience.
2020 & Covid
Early the following year we were all locked-down when the pandemic struck. During that time while we were having to stay round our homes and having got my mojo back I trained really well.
There was not much happening in races that year, a bit more the following year but it was mostly training.
Fast Forward to 2022
In 2022 the British Masters was back with a different venue, Moorways Derby. On my home ground so to speak. As I wasn’t able to compete on both days, I plumed for the Saturday and the 1500 metres. I thought about doing another event while I was there and so decided to give the 400 metres a go. I had never run one since school and being a sprint I thought I would be well beaten. What a surprise I came through to win and since then have ran three more.
The British Masters have an Indoor Athletic Championships and this year it was at Sheffield. This was new to me, over all these years never having the opportunity to run indoors. So on the 200 metre track I ran the 1500 metres, making my debut indoors after all these years. I thought I ran really well.
I hope to have the chance to go and run in European or World Masters Championships at some stage as some of my contemporaries have done.
What I have found while running in Masters races is how friendly everyone is, not just those you compete against but other athletes from different age groups.
Other Disciplines
I have mainly talked about athletics but the Masters have competitions in fell running, mountain running and of course many road races. If you are interested go onto the BMAF website to find out more regarding competitions, regional, national and international.
My love for running started very early as young boy, along with other sports but running has stayed right there and with the help of the Masters, the Harriers both former and present, the motivation is still with me.
Latest – November 23
On November 11th, Malc will be representing England in the Inter Country Cross Country champs competing against the best from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in Glasgow. Good luck Malc!