By: Dot Kesterton

Race(s) Date: 13th-25th August 2024

Venue: Gothenburg, Sweden.

Four intrepid Steel City Striders answered the call to meet with 11,000 athletes from over 100 nations and every continent in Gothenburg for the 25th World Masters Athletics Championships 2024. Jed Turner, 800m and Chris Ireland, 2000m Steeplechase, are seasoned performers on the world stage. Fiona Jeffries, fairly new to international competition and I joined them for the non-stadia events of 10k Road and Cross Country.

Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city sits on the west coast at the Gota River, has a population similar to Sheffield but boasts three full sized stadia, all of which were used for the Championships. Ullevi, an impressive 43,000 capacity was built for the FIFA World Cup in 1958; Slottskogsvallen, the main stadium for the games was built in 1923 and a brand new full sized track at Bjorlanda was completed in 2023 for the WMA Championships. With superb public transport links and a huge army of volunteers the setting was a perfect choice for the event.

In the days before my first race I immersed myself in the Championships, watching inspirational track and field performances from athletes from 35 to 95+ years old. I spoke to the running companion of Colin Spivey from Huddersfield making his debut in the 5000m just short of his 90th birthday. Colin completed in 4th place in just over 30 minutes having done all his training at the local Parkrun. A month later he would have taken gold in the M90 category. That’s the joy of Masters athletics; you’re never too old to join in, have a go and achieve something special.

Chris Ireland came 10th of 31 M60 2000m Steeplechase in 7:50.70.

Jed Turner M60 800m narrowly missed qualification for the final with 2:24.05. He ran the 10k road race in 42:31, 34th of 77 M60.

My first event was the 10k road race. It was a fairly hilly two lap course, well marked and  supported by athletes and locals who clapped and willed us up the hill, past the penguins in the park, past the lovely Cafe Azalea where I rested later and on to the finish near the stadium. I was fortunate to run alongside Jeannie Rice, USA W75 World Champion Marathon holder. She and I each had a different approach. Jeannie took the hills steady and sprinted, yes, sprinted off them. I powered up the ascents and used the descent to recover. Jeannie finished in 47:30 just ahead of my 47:33. I think I’ll give her approach a try. What would you do? I was delighted to achieve third W70 and a Bronze medal for GB/NI after Denmark and Germany. Strider Fiona Jeffries W55 finished 12th of 30 W55 in 45:48.

Just two days later we lined up for the Cross Country race. For W65 and above this is 6k, 3x2k laps round Slottskogen Park and for younger athletes 8k, or 4x2k laps. By UK standards it was not a particularly challenging course and felt more like a long parkrun than the Norfolk Park or Graves Park courses we know and love. Every time I do these races I go off too fast and end up struggling in the closing stages. This time I chose to go out more steadily and gain on the leading group. Except once I was behind I stayed behind and simply couldn’t close the gap. With hindsight I should have kept the lead runners close and hung on for a more competitive race in the closing stages. I finished a disappointing 29:33mins, 5th W70 with Australia, Italy, Germany and Sweden ahead. The consolation is that in both my races I completed first W70 for GB/NI. Fiona ran an impressive 37:38, 19th of 35 F55, 3rd for GB and once times were aggregated achieved a silver medal in the W55 team race. I don’t think Fiona has stopped smiling ever since.

One of the cultural events to accompany the games in the city was a photographic exhibition of Masters athletes by Alex Rotas, alexrotasphotography.co.uk. Alex records the achievements of older athletes to challenge prevailing cultural attitudes around older people as essentially frail, sedentary and physically weak. The exhibition demonstrated the power that many older people bring to their sport and was all the more welcome for that. Alex has collaborated with Danielle Sellwood to produce a documentary film called ‘Younger’, following a group of athletes in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s as they prepare for national and international competition. ‘Younger’ is currently being shown in cinemas and is well worth viewing.

And speaking of culture, one of the novels I took to read was ‘A Whole Life’ by Robert Seethaler, about a life finding comfort and tranquility in solitude. It was powerful and moving, just right for me trying to find my own peace in the build up to the competition.

If anyone reading this report would like to know more about Masters Athletics do speak to myself, Jed, Chris or Fiona. Anyone 35 years and above is eligible to compete at this level in T&F, Road, Trail and Mountain Racing. Check out bmaf.org.uk for more details.

I am indebted to coach John Rothwell, for his unwavering advice, support and  encouragement in the months before the championships. John gives time, energy and expertise freely to those of us who aspire to compete at our best. Indeed his motto, ‘be your best’ has helped inspire me to compete at national and international level over the past few years.

Knowing I had to maintain core strength to avoid injury and improve form I have worked with Sheffield based Personal Trainer and Nutritionist Donovan Blake MSc throughout the year. Donovan specialises in helping older people to get stronger and eat well for better health. My thanks and appreciation to Donovan for the support he has given me as I prepared for the championships.

Thanks also to physiotherapist Sally Fawcett for her weekly programme of core, stretch and balance exercises which quite literally keeps me on my toes.

Last and definitely not least thanks to Malcolm Kesterton who uncomplainingly accommodates my running obsession and son Joel Kesterton who trots more at my pace than his round the hills surrounding our lovely city never once giving me the feeling I’m holding him back. Long may it continue.

The road 10k (F70) was won by Vibeke Hansen (Denmark) in 46:36

The road 10k (M60) was won by Andrew Leach (Great Britain) in 34:58

The 2,000m (M60) Steeplechase was won by Peter Stevens (New Zealand) in 7:01:43

The 800m (M60) was won by Andrew Ridley (Great Britain) in 2:09:67

Striders’ Results:

Road 10k