Subcommittees of Masters Track and Field carry out many functions essential to successful operation of the organization. Click on the name of any subcommittee below for more information about its purpose, leadership, members, contact info, annual report, and recent activities. Subcommittee work is carried out primarily by volunteers. Contact the subcommittee chair if you have questions or suggestions or if you would like to become actively involved.
General provisions governing subcommittee operation:
The Anti-Doping Subcommittee shall serve as a resource for substance abuse issues and respond to the directives of MTF.
In 2010, the National Outdoor Masters Championships in Sacramento held several briefings by USADA anti-doping officials clarifying that masters are subject to testing and what the banned drugs are. Another masters briefing was scheduled at the 2010 USATF Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach. This is a work in progress with MTF Chair Gary Snyder overseeing the process and arranging actual testing to begin at the 2011 Outdoor National Masters Championships. Snyder has appointed a doping subcommittee headed by Steve Cohen, with members including Bob Weiner and others to be appointed by Cohen, to help MTF and meets develop appropriate criteria and means of testing.
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The Awards Subcommittee shall select award winners following the direction of MTF. The Awards Subcommittee presents awards to outstanding master athletes each year based on performances during the calendar year. Awards are presented at the Athletes Awards Dinner held during the Outdoor Championship each year. Nominations are accepted at the close of the outdoor season. Criteria listed below are used to evaluate nominees. Award criteria and descriptions can be found here.
The Chair of the Awards Committee is Rachel Guest, and the committee consists of an additional fourteen individuals who represent a cross-section of different ages, geographical regions, and event expertise.
The Budget and Finance Subcommittee shall prepare the proposed budget to submit to the USATF Budget and Finance Committee and present the proposed budget to the (MTF) Committee at the annual meeting.
The Championship Games Subcommittee shall approve the schedule of events for each USATF Masters National Track and Field Championships, oversee the conduct of the Championships, and work with the Local Organizing Committee to ensure the success of the Championships.
The Combined-Events Subcommittee shall solicit bids for combined-events championships, oversee the conduct of these events, and serve as a resource to the National Championships Organizing Committees.
The Communications Subcommittee is concerned with all communications that might be necessary for MTF to achieve its objectives. Additionally, the Subcommittee looks to improve existing procedures as well as suggest new ways to improve communications.
The MTF Inclusion Subcommittee seeks to establish and maintain an inclusive culture that fosters equitable participation for athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators. To empower athletic development, competition, fitness, friendship, sportsmanship and volunteerism; the Inclusion Subcommittee will provide or enable education and advocate for USATF Masters policies which sustain foundations of a diverse and inclusive culture across all dimensions including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, gender expression, class, geographical location, national origin, educational background, marital status, parental status, disability, income, sexual orientation, creed and all levels of athletic ability.
Masters Exhibition events are special competitions held at premier open track & field meets in the United States which showcase the top masters men and women athletes age 40 and up.
These exhibition events add an inspirational and dramatic dimension to open/invitational track meets. Track & Field fans who appreciate great competition are never disappointed. In fact, they are amazed and impressed by the effort, dedication and athletic ability of masters athletes. It is a new awakening for many observers to realize that a 60-year-old sprinter or a 45-year-old miler can maintain superior fitness and perform at astonishing levels. Everyone is welcome to become a part of USATF.
The Masters Hall of Fame Subcommittee solicits nominees for the USATF Masters Track & Field Hall of Fame.
The Masters Hall of Fame Subcommittee was first established in 1996. Distinguished athletes and administrator who have been active for at least 10 years are eligible for election to the Hall of Fame. In addition, deceased masters athletes and administrator and those who have retired from competition for at least five years are also eligible for election.
The Race Walking Subcommittee shall establish procedures for selecting Race Walking Championships held outside the MTF championships, ensure that race walking records are maintained for masters, select annual race walking awardees, and serve as a resource to championships organizing committees. The chair of this subcommittee shall be a representative to the USATF Race Walk Committee. *Note: Regional race walking championships may be administered by race walk coordinators delegated by the masters track & field regional coordinators.
The Rankings Subcommittee shall compile annual rankings of age-group athletes for masters athletics.
USA Masters Track and Field rankings are maintained dynamically on the web throughout the year. Athletes are encouraged to enter their own marks as they occur during the competition seasons (both indoor and outdoor). Marks are maintained in 5 year age groups for all events contested at the national championship level. Meet directors are also encouraged to submit meet results to the rankings coordinator for inclusion in the rankings.
The Records Subcommittee shall maintain and update age-group American records for masters track and field. The chair of this subcommittee shall serve on the USATF Records Committee.
The Throwing Events Subcommittee shall solicit bids for throwing events that have stand-alone national championships, oversee the organization and conduct of these events, select winners of the annual awards given to throwers, and serve as a resource to the National Championships Organizing Committees. To provide an avenue for grassroots involvement by throwers in discussions of issues related to throwing and throwing competitions.
Members are appointed by the USATF Masters Committee Chair on recommendation of the Masters Throwing Events Coordinator. The Subcommittee consists of one representative from each region plus such additional members as the Coordinator and Chair believe are appropriate to provide balanced representation based on geography, age group, gender, and event specialty. Ideally, the Subcommittee will have no more than 9 members plus the Coordinator. The primary involvement of Subcommittee members will be in:
The Subcommittee will “meet” largely via exchanges of emails. Occasionally there may be a conference call meeting, and a more formal meeting will be scheduled at the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships each year for those who are in attendance.