Souvenirs from
2009 World Masters Games

There was plenty of excitement, action and color at the 2009 World Masters Games. Here are some of WRT's Sydney souvenirs.

Brazil's Rute Santos Velnecker strutted her stuff in the grand stand and in the field took silver in W45 Pole Vault.

Photo courtesy of Marilyn Mitchell

Medal ceremony for W40 800m, L to R: Lisa Harrison, silver (Aus), Paola Olivari, gold (Chile), Karen Herrmann, bronze (Aus). Paola had a wonderful WMG also winning gold in the 2k steeple and 1500m and bronze in the long jump.

Olga Nelyubova from Russia dominated her W45 races. Olga took gold in the 800m. With 200 to go she kicked down in a blistering finish, 2:16.60. In the 1500m she was never challenged, winning easily in 4:45.81.

It's a family affair...mother and daughter running together.

Julie Norney W40 (L) and Lavina Petrie W65 (R) with their medals from the Half Marathon. It was Lavina's 4th gold, adding to her wins in the 10k road, 1500m and 5k. Julie got silver in the half and finished a courageous 4th in the 1500 and 5k, after leading both races.

It's all smiles for USA's Mary Harada after her convincing win in the W70 5k. Mary had a closer race in the 1500m where she was "beaten by a toe!"

Sprint queens Phil Raschker W60 (L) and Marge Allison W65 (R) after their 100m wins. Friends and competitors for years both went on to collect more gold during the WMG.

Kathy Heagney, W55, had much to celebrate, winning gold in the 400m, bronze in the 200m and flying home to snatch silver in the 800m.

In W45 100m it's all Australia, L to R: Julie Forster, silver, Gianna Mogentale, gold and Lynda Douglass, bronze. Gianna's success continued, winning golds in the 200m and 400m and silver in the 800m and long jump.

In one of the most thrilling races of the WMG, USA's Jeanne Daprano triumphed over Canada’s Diane Palmason in the W70 800m, 3:18.36 to 3:18.67. Diane was victorious in the 200m and 400m with Jeanne getting the silvers.

Ruth Frith, the 100-year-old Aussie, was a bigger celebrity than His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the WMG. Ruth set a World Record in the shot put and also won the hammer and javelin.

Ruth enjoyed her celebrity status, dishing out quotes to the eager journalists who followed her every move. She credited her longevity to not eating vegetables and isn't a fan of women in the workforce. Who knows if Ruth was serious or just having some fun. Either way she got our attention.

The medal ceremony for W50 800m, (All Australian), L to R: Julie Rennie, silver, Cris Penn, gold and Robyn Suttor, bronze. Cris made it triple gold with her wins in the 400m and 1500m.

USA's Thelma Wilson (L) won the W75 800m with Marilyn Mitchell (R), USA official, avid photographer and recently returned W65 100m sprinter.

Heather Kappmeier (R) from South Africa and Julie Norney (L) from Australia finished first and second in the W40 Half Marathon. Heather also won gold in the 8k cross country and silver in the 10K road. Heather loves her long distances, having completed 10 Comrades Marathons (55 Miles / 90km).

Giola Campbell showing off her Aussie colors. Giola nailed silver in the W40 100m, 200m and 400m.

Aussie Amanda Coombe got the bronze in W40 2k steeple. In her favorite event the 800m, Amanda ran a three second PB saying, “It’s as good as a medal”.

Australian Anne Stobaus after her big win in the W65 800m (2:55.99). Anne also got silver in the 400m and bronze in the 200m. Coach and husband Ron was cheering from the stands.

Friends and roommates L to R: Marie Kay (Aus) and Lisa Daley (USA) had a fun and relaxed WMG. Lisa didn't race and to keep the Sydney organizers happy Marie competed in the W45 hurdles (silver) and long jump (gold). Both have their sights set on the 2010 WMA Indoors in Kamloops.

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