Sitting here at Tampa airport, waiting for my delayed flight back home to the UK, gives me time to reflect on special week in Gainesville, Florida, competing in my first World Masters Athletics Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Ahead of the event, I was excited and a little nervous, but, just like at the European Masters Championships in Pescara in 2023, what I looked forward to most was connecting with athletes from all over the world and watching some genuinely inspirational performances.
If you’re reading this and thinking about getting involved in athletics for the first time or returning to athletics as a Masters athlete (age 35+), I cannot recommend it enough.
I started competing again at the age of 55 after not having done athletics since school, and, in 2022, I ran all distances from 100 metres to a marathon with the aim of an 80% age grade in each event.
Then, in 2023, I began to learn the field events with the aim of completing a decathlon. The pole vault and hurdles were my biggest challenge, but with coaching support and some great training partners I managed to complete a decathlon at the European Masters and exceed my target of 5,000 age-graded points.
But along the way I have learned a valuable lesson. Being part of the masters athletics community is about more than just competition and age-grade targets; it’s about a lifelong love for sport and redefining the boundaries of growing old.
So I had no targets for my week in Gainesville at the World Indoor Masters running the 8K cross country, 3,000 meters, and 10K road race beyond meeting some new friends and contributing as fully as possible to the heart and soul of the masters athletics community.
Parkrun Tourism
The day before the Masters events proper kicked off for me, I ran a 5K parkrun at Weedon Island Preserve in Florida. Running a sub 19:00 5K probably wasn’t ideal preparation for an 8K cross country, but it was an ideal opportunity to run in beautiful setting and meet the local parkrun community in St Petersburg for an early 0800 start.
With a very small field of just 61 runners, it was at Weedon Island Preserve parkrun that I had my first experience of the kind of camaraderie I’d find throughout the week.
At an entertaining and informative first-timers’ briefing, I met a fellow Brit, Mike, proudly wearing his St Albans Striders vest, and we chatted about running before posing a photo together in front of the Weedon Island Preserve parkrun sign.
After the run, which featured several local runners, men and women, wearing tutus because the run took place on the 22nd (two two) of the month, biscuits were shared and everyone stayed around to chat and marvel at one barefoot runner and his incredibly small Unihertz Jelly phone.
Check out the perfect form factor on this phone for a runner’s shorts’ pocket.
It was simple relaxed connections like these, that set the tone for the friendly and supportive atmosphere I encountered everywhere on my week-long trip.
8K Cross Country
My first race, the 8K cross country on the Sunday following parkrun, was a real challenge, especially with the heat of an 11:15 start in Florida in late March.
It certainly wasn’t like the cross country I was used to back home in England. Gone were the mud, hills, rain, and water crossings to which I was accustomed. Instead to be replaced by sun, grass, sand, and sun.
I went out way too fast, running my first mile in 5:46 when I glanced down to look at my watch at the beep. Some of this I put down to Championship adrenaline, some to the flat and fast manicured golf course route, and some to my inability to pace a race properly even after 47 years of cross country running.
As I inevitably slowed down in subsequent miles, what really stood out was the encouragement from other athletes as they passed me. Complete strangers offered words of support, telling me to keep going and commiserating on the hot conditions.
It was a tough race, but those moments of kindness made a big difference. At the end of the race, I even got a photo with fellow Brit, Stephen Watmough, in front of the scoreboard at the finish. It was great to share that experience with someone from home and there was promise of a beer once we made it back to the hotel.
The 3,000 Metres B Final
The 3,000 metres was a truly special experience. Given what had happened in the cross country two days before, I was determined to pace this race sensibly.
I used my VDOT calculator to work out a realistic target of 10:30 based on my current fitness and recent race results, breaking the race down into hitting 42 seconds for every 200 metres, no matter what the rest of the field was doing.
And let’s just say the wildlife was a bit different than back home – spotting an alligator in the pond next to the warm-up track was definitely a first!
Being in the B final gave me the confidence to move towards the front after the first 800 metres and stick to my pace. I remember having a big smile on my face as I ran, fuelled by the encouragement from two very vocal supporters wearing their GB team gear. ‘I like what you are doing, GB!’ the woman shouted, and then, ‘Keep smiling, GB!’
Crossing the finish line in first place, and taking nearly 30 seconds off my previous personal best, was an incredible feeling – my most special moment of the week.
Afterwards, chatting with the other athletes was great, especially a New Zealand runner who joked that I must have been in the wrong final! Again, the camaraderie at the finish line, and sharing the joy of the race, was just fantastic.
A Tough 10K
On my way to the 10K road race, something really special happened. Another athlete from New Zealand stopped me to congratulate me on my 3,000-metre win.
What touched me most was when he said that seeing me smiling all the way around the track was inspirational to him and many others watching, adding that it’s something you don’t see very often. I told him that I was just so happy and wanted to share that joy with everyone. That unexpected moment of connection, realising that my own happiness could have a positive impact on others, was the most meaningful moment of the week.
The 10K road race itself proved to be a real test of endurance. I was buoyed my 3K success and thought I could aim for an M55 PB. So I set off at 6 min/mile pace for the first 5 kilometers and felt it in the second half, having to really dig deep to keep going.
Stephen Watmough passed me shortly after the halfway mark and offered words of encouragement in my ear. “Let’s work together and help each other out,” he said. I could only reply, “My legs have gone, Steve.”
I slipped from third place to sixth and psychologically my heart wasn’t in the second half of the race. But to my surprise and delight, I ended up coming home with a bronze medal as part of the M55 Great Britain team! Standing on the podium with my GB teammates was the perfect finish to what had already been a perfect week.
Beyond the Competition
My memories of Florida extend far beyond the races themselves. One evening, I had the incredible experience of going to the University of Florida to witness the bat houses, where hundreds of thousands of bats take flight at dusk – a truly spectacular sight!
There was also time to relax and recover in the hotel pool and spa, which was much needed after the races. And the Drury Inn’s 5:30 pm kickback with free beer and food each evening was a fantastic way to unwind and chat with other athletes.
It was there that I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people, including Larry and Jane Treleven from the USA, who added to the warmth and friendliness of the event.
Final Thoughts
Beyond my own races, the World Indoor Masters was full of truly inspiring moments. Witnessing the incredible performance of the Mongolian M90 athlete running the 200 meters in 37 seconds was a standout. But equally special was the chance to connect with so many athletes from different corners of the world, forming friendships that I know will last.
The atmosphere in the indoor arena was electric, especially with the Kenyan team’s traditional songs filling the air and the crowd wholeheartedly supporting every competitor, no matter their nationality or finishing time. This event truly embodies community and connection, proving that age is just a number and doesn’t define what we can achieve.
For me, as someone living with type 1 diabetes, being able to compete at this level was also deeply personal. I hoped to show that it’s possible to overcome challenges and inspire others to pursue their passions.
Conclusion
The World Indoor Masters in Florida was more than just a series of races; it was a celebration of the human spirit, the joy of movement, and the power of connection.
My medal and personal best are memorable, but it’s the ‘heart of the masters’ – the friendships forged, the inspiring stories witnessed, and the shared passion for defying limitations – that will stay with me long after the final race. I leave Florida with a full heart, new friends, and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
