I took up running in 2015 as part of new years resolution to get fit and lose weight. At that time I weighed in at around 16st and suffered from chronic back problems caused by spending too much time sitting at a desk and travelling around the world with business. In the same year I entered and was lucky to win a ballot place for that years Great North Run and to cut a long story short before I knew it my weight dropped, I became fit, the back problems eased, and running became part of my life.
I joined North Shields Polytechnic Club later that year and spent a few years training with the road running squads where I ran, mostly for fun, in races from 5k to half marathon.
I first tried my hand at sprinting in 2018 at a North East Masters Track and Field League meeting and I loved it right from the start. I have to admit it took a couple of years for the body to adjust to the demands of sprinting, in fact it still protests from time to time, but I really caught the bug.
Roll forwards to 2022 and I have been fortunate to be able to stay healthy and keep improving (Covid19 years aside) my level of performance every year since. 2022 saw me break through with successes at a number of national indoor and outdoor championships, and at the age of 62, I managed to break all but one North East Masters League, Championship and All Time M60 sprint records, setting new lifetime best times for 100m, 200m and 400m along the way.
Thanks for reading.
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2024 : Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
It was a year I’ll never forget. Entering the season with doubts, I had set my sights on competing at the top level of Masters Athletics as a sprinter. Before succumbing to the serious injury documented in previous posts, things were heading in the right direction. But 2024 began as a year of perseverance and
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2024 Inter Area Challenge (that’s a wrap)
The final Masters athletics meeting of 2024, and my last outdoor event as an M60 athlete, saw me travel with Trevor Hodgson and a group of fellow North East Masters athletes to Corby for a showdown against other regions across the UK. It was a day full of competition, camaraderie, and a bit of friendly
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2024 World Championships – 4x400m Relay
The 4x400m relay holds a truly special place in my heart, and it all began in 2022 at the British Masters Championships in Derby. That year, I was competing in the 400m individual race when, for the very first time, I managed to break the 60 second barrier. It was a thrilling race, especially since
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2024 World Championships – 400m
In the 400m, I was once again aiming to make the semi-finals and secure a top 10 finish. Before I go on to talk about the race, a special mention to Spanish M65 400m athlete Pepe Povedano, who is in the cover picture of this this post with myself . We had been friends for
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2024 World Championships – 200m
The 200m individual is my favourite distance. The 100m always feels a bit too short for me, and while I enjoy the 400m, the 200m is where I seem to hit my stride and perform the best. This event had been on my mind all week, and I was excited to finally get out on
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2024 World Championships – 4x100m Relay
The men’s 4x100m relay, was a particularly important event for me. Why? Well, I had narrowly missed out on selection for the men’s 4x200m at the World Championships in Poland, and to make matters worse, a torn hip flexor had kept me out of the men’s 4x100m at the European Championships in Italy. Both of
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2024 World Championships – 100m
The 100m qualifying rounds at the World Championships were always going to be intense, but standing on the start line, the weight of just how close the margins were didn’t really hit me until it was over. When you’re out there, everything happens so fast, you’ve only got a few seconds to execute the race
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2024 World Championships – An Unforgettable Experience
The Masters World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, was truly an amazing experience. Over 8,000 athletes from more than 100 countries gathered for two weeks of intense competition. Gothenburg was a wonderful host city. The people were friendly, the accommodation was good, and it was easy to get around. I traveled with my training partner,
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British Masters Championships 2024 (What’s the time?)
It was a beautiful first day at the Masters Athletics UK Track and Field Championships, filled with camaraderie, competition, and, of course, a few IT gremlins thrown in for good measure. You know, just to keep things interesting. Unfortunately, thanks to those mischievous digital glitches, It took more the 24 hours to discover what my
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Good things happen when you least expect them!
What began as a casual 400m training exercise somehow turned into a 300m personal best. And, as it turns out, a UK all-time record for my age group (64 years young!). I mean, who goes out for a bit of light training and accidentally breaks records? Apparently, I do. 🤷♂️ The plan for the evening
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Scottish Masters Championships 2024 (Sleep is overrated apparently)
Two weeks after the Northeast Championships and two weeks before the British Championships, Trevor and I packed our bags and made the trip up to Dundee for the Scottish Masters Championships. Held at the Dundee Performance Centre, the venue was a real treat for athletes, an indoor warmup track and a lovely outdoor circuit. However,
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North East Masters Championships 2024
In the two months leading up to the North East Masters Championships in June, I had what can only be described as a miracle two full months of training without missing a single session. I know, right? It was almost suspiciously good. I was back in the swing of things, loving every moment, and performance
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European Masters Indoors Championships 2024
By March, I had worked my way back to entering a competition: the European Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland. Fitting, really, since my European outdoor season had been rudely interrupted by my hip flexor. I wasn’t anywhere near peak shape, honestly more like 85%, but that was good enough for me. Naturally, because no story
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The Long Road to Recovery (It’s easier to run backwards)
After tearing my hip flexor at the European Championships, I came back to the UK expecting a quick recovery. You know, a few weeks off, a bit of ice, and I’d be back on the track in no time. Unfortunately, my optimism took a nosedive when both the doctor and physiotherapist informed me that this
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Top 10 Races of 2023.
Number 1 What an incredible experience, the 4x200m mixed relay at the World Indoor Masters Championships in Torun, Poland. Competing on the world stage is exhilarating enough, but securing a medal made it the crowning moment of my athletics career so far. Being part of a relay team with Paul Guest, Christine Anthony, and Janice
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Four painful lessons I learned (apparently from not listening to my own advice).
Let’s break this down into four simple truths: 1. I let my race schedule dictate my fitness, which worked wonders for short-term glory but led to long-term bodily betrayal. 2. I ignored my own common sense, and raced through injuries to avoid disappointing others. Spoiler: I ended up disappointing myself instead. 3. I completely forgot
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European Masters Championship 2003, Pescara Italy.
The European Championships loom just three weeks away, and my body is now a sophisticated patchwork of pain and regret. Regular trips to physiotherapists, sports therapists, and anyone who will take pity on me become part of the daily grind, along with a stretching routine so intricate, Cirque du Soleil would be impressed. A week
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British Championships 2nd August, my last race of 2023.
My next event, scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd, was the British Masters Championships, giving me a luxurious three weeks to recover from the Inter-Counties. That’s 21 whole days. Surely, that’s enough time to heal from a small detail like a rebellious groin and a back with its own agenda? In those three weeks, I
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The beginning of the end! Nuneaton Inter-Area, 6th August 2023.
It was great to meet up with my fellow M60 athletes from across the country at the annual Inter-Area competition. As proof that we were indeed there (and not just making it up from the comfort of our sofas), I’ve attached some evidence of our participation. Despite less than ideal conditions, there were some cracking
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North East Masters July 2023 League Meeting – Dreich!
Tough conditions at the local athletics meeting, with field events canceled thanks to heavy rain and a charming -1.2 headwind to greet us on the track. Yet, despite the weather trying its best to dampen our spirits, resilience (and probably a bit of madness) kept us going. A special shout out to the officials who
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A Triple Crown at the Scottish Masters Championships.
The Scottish Masters Championships unfolded at Grangemouth Stadium this year, graced with favorable weather conditions amid intermittent storms. Despite a slight headwind of +0.5 on the home stretch, the racing conditions were splendid. The inaugural race featured the 100m sprint, where I found myself in competition with Ronnie Hunter, a revered figure in Scottish Sprinting.
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A Triple Crown at the North East Masters Championships.
Another fantastic North East Masters Athletics Association Track and Field Championships, made even more special by sharing in the triumphs of this incredible group of friends and masters athletes from North Shields Polytechnic Club. Thrilled to secure three championship🥇 in the M60 category – 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints, and setting a new championship record
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Back under 60s in my second outdoor 400m race of the 2023 Season.
Fantastic! Clocking sub 60 seconds for the 400m in my second outdoor race of the season. A special shoutout to my friend Darren Towart for capturing the moment—I literally ran off into the sunset 🌞😂 Big thanks to the officials and organisers. Pulling off an athletics meeting with around 300 athletes in just two and
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The GBR M60 Sprinters dominate in Torun.
At the recent World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships the GBR M60 sprinters brought home 6 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals, and a new 200m world record. John Wright Michael Vassiliou Pat Logan Peter Ilo Paul Guest Stuart Lynn Des Wilkinson In the 400m, John Wright took Gold in (55.65s) and Michael Vassiliou Silver
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The Road to Torun (Part 14) – The End.
And just like that the Road to Torun training plan is complete. The past 4 weeks have focused heavily on adding the speed element to the seemingly endless winter strength and speed endurance sessions. I can’t lie, its been a physically demanding month, as the training has been focused on very high quality (mostly short
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The Road to Torun (Part 12) – Four weeks to go, Heads down for the final push.
With less that 4 weeks to go until the start of the World Indoor Championships, my competitive racing schedule is complete and the final part of my training plan is focused on conditioning, i.e. adding speed to the strength and endurance platform that I have been working hard on over the winter: To give you
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The Road to Torun (Part 11) – Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
Is how the training plan is building my performance so far. For example, in the three 400m races I’ve ran this year I have clocked 63.0s, 62.31s and 61.38s. Over the past two weeks I’ve competed at the Scottish Masters Indoor Championships and the British Masters Indoor Championships. There are updates on the site covering
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British Masters Athletics Indoor Championships 2023, You win some and you learn some 🤦♂️
A valuable lesson was learned this years British Master Indoors Champs in Sheffield … I deliberately ran, and thought I’d won, a tactical race against fellow M60 Athlete ‘Peter Ilo’ for the bronze medal in the top seeded M60 400m race, only to discover moments later that two of the other athletes in the second
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The Road to Torun (Part 10) – Competition Time, Keeping the Faith & Sharing the Journey.
After months and months of winter training, strength and conditioning sessions and gradual build up back to race fitness, it was time to measure progress at the first competition of the year. That competition was the Scottish Masters Indoor Championships held at the wonderful Emirates Arena in Glasgow. The full story of how I performed
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Scottish Masters Athletics Indoor Championships 2023
I travelled with a group of friends and athletes from North Shields Polytechnic Club and Morpeth Harriers & AC to the Glasgow Emirates Arena which was once again the venue for the Scottish Masters Indoor Athletics Championships on 12th February 2023. It was a hugely enjoyable event, not least because it’s one of the best
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The Road to Torun (Part 9) – Golf & Sprinting dont mix, Pain is a constant, Injury is never far away.
An interesting week and a bit since my last update. I got over the disappointment of Sheffield very quickly and was back on the training plan on Tuesday night with 4x200m @ 90% effort in spikes. A very enjoyable session, hit every mark with ease and felt good the next day. That was until I
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The Road to Torun (Part 8) – The Masters community is freaking awesome, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
The world of Masters Athletics and the community spirit that it embodies never ceases to amaze … I ran in Sheffield last week and wasn’t overly impressed with my results. I won’t make any excuses or go into the reasons for the sub par performances, other than to say they taught me some good lessons,
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The Road to Torun (Part 7) – In Search of Speed, Friday 13th, Quitters Day.
This week welcomed the start of speed work into the programme, which means the distance reduces and so does the time. Tuesday’s session on a very cold wet and dark track, comprised 1 set of 3 runs over 100m, 150m and 200m at 90% race speed with 3 minute recovery between runs. Managed to hit
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The Road to Torun (Part 6) – Make it last then make it fast, 2023 Indoor Competition Schedule.
After missing a couple of weeks training over Christmas with sore ribs, thankfully this week’s training has been back on schedule. The plan is to ‘make it last then make it fast’ i.e. A winter of strength, conditioning and speed endurance have hopefully helped build up my core endurance, and the speed sessions which return next
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The Road to Torun (Part 5) – The most fun I’ve had spending £125 for a long time, Torun entry accepted .
Whilst still a few weeks to go before the registration window closes, I decided it was time to submit my entry for the 200m & 400 at the World Indoor Championships. I have to say I felt a degree of excitement hitting the submit button as it was the first time I’d ever entered a
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The Road to Torun (Part 4) – Happy New Year, Sore ribs, The show must go on.
1st January 2023, day one of a brand new year with brand new opportunities … thankfully back training again after taking a tumble before xmas, albeit with sore ribs. Today was a tempo session of 10x100m at a steady pace. I hope 2023 brings you health, happiness and much success. Until next time …
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2022 Review – What a year, What a team, What memories.
I started athletics for enjoyment but sometimes during the dark, cold and wet winter training months, or during the intensity of the racing season it’s difficult to remember that. However, this 2022 highlights video of our year together makes it all worthwhile and reminds me how privileged I feel to be part of this group
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The Road to Torun (Part 3) – The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley
Is a well-known proverb from the Robert Burns poem ‘To a Mouse’ that I can resonate with right now, after the unfortunate altercation I had with the track on 22nd December. My tumble has brought my ‘best-laid’ training plans to an abrupt halt this week due to a problem with sore ribs. However, rather than getting
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The Road to Torun (Part 2) – It was supposed to be fun
One week down already and not the start I would have hoped. In the North East of England we only have a 60m indoor training facility at Gateshead Academy of Sport, so when we get snow, which isn’t very often, then it makes training more of a challenge. At the start of the week, we
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The Road to Torun (Part 1) – Dreams, Discipline & Wine
‘The Road to Torun’ is an online diary of my 14 week journey to the World Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland that begin on 26th March 2023. This will be a training aide and hopefully a lasting memory of the preparations in the run up to my first World Masters Championship. I have to
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Episode 19 – Stuart Lynn
Stuart and I talk about his discovering of running and of sprinting, encounters with Brendan Foster and the GNR, his route into the Poly and his subsequent rise to nationally ranked performances within it. We talk about how sprinting is really hard, why it’s also something everyone can do and how the North East Masters
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North East Masters Track & Field Relays 2022
Who doesn’t love a relay? It’s a fantastic experience to run as part of a team and for whatever reason you always run like your backside is on fire. The final North East Masters Track and Field meeting of the year always concludes with 4x100m and 4x400m relays. This year I was fortunate to compete
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British Masters Indoors Athletics Championships 2022
After a great showing in the Scottish Indoor Championships, the 2022 British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley turned out to be a bitter disappointment. I didn’t run well and made some poor tactical decisions, albeit I have to admit to being concerned about the track from a safety perspective, having almost fallen on my
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North East Masters Athletics Championships 2022
Held at Monkton Stadium near South Shields, I managed to bag a triple crown of championship gold medals over the period of only 1 hour and 40 minutes. I was also delighted to set three new North East Championship best times for the M60 100m, 200m & 400m. With the M55 and M60 races being
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North East Masters Indoor Athletics Championships 2022
With a physique more suited to the 200m and 400m, the 60m has never been one of my favourite events. However, I enjoy running it and it’s a great way to keep sharp. This years North East Counties M60 Indoor Championships held at Gateshead College Academy of Sport. 1st Place M60, running alongside my mentor,
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North East Masters Track & Field League 2022
Run by the North East Masters Athletics Association, the North East Masters Track & Field League is a series of 6 race meetings held from May to August. Individual League Champions for each age group are awarded to the athletes who achieve the highest combined score at the end of the year. Races are seeded
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Irish Masters Athletics Championships 2022
One of the highlights of 2022 was a fantastic trip to Ireland to compete in the Irish Masters Championships hosted at Tullamore Athletics Track in Co Offaly. The trip was only made possible by the kindness of fellow masters athlete Shane Sheridan who took me to the event, and introduced me to many of his
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Scottish Masters Athletics Indoor Championships 2022
Success at this years Scottish Masters Indoor Championships hosted at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, the best indoor venue in the UK. Two Gold Medal’s in the 200m & 400m. Delighted with both performances so early in the season. Great competition with John Statham in the 200m and Irish Masters Athlete Michael Cornyn in the
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British Masters Athletics Championships 2022
My seasons best performance came at this years British Masters Championships in Derby where I took a Silver Medal in the 400m behind Masters 400m World Champion John Wright, in a sub 60s and new PB time of 59.52s. This was one better than my 3rd place in the same event the year before. I
Stuart Lynn - Masters Athlete 