'Older' World and Nation's Best Athletes To Prove Lifetime Fitness Possible

You don't have to go to the Olympics this year to see world-class athletes compete. More than 30 reigning world masters track and field champions who won gold at the July 2012 World Championships In Sacramento will be among 1,118 of the world's and nation's best athletes 35-95 years old competing at Benedictine University at the USA National Masters Track & Field Championships.

The meet takes place Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 2-5. The athletes will display speed, strength and endurance demonstrating lifetime fitness for all ages in events ranging from 100 to 10,000 meters, while field events will include the full range of jumps and throws.

Events will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex. Admission is free.

World Champions entered include:

• Jazz great and 800M and 1500M world record holder Nolan Shaheed, 63, of Pasadena, Calif. He played lead trumpet for Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye.
• Overall athlete of the year and 2011 World Champion in no less than six field events including high jump, javelin, long jump, pole vault, triple jump, and shot put, Johnnye Valien, 85-89, of Los Angeles.
• Winner of 2012 USA Olympic Trial Invitational 200M and 2011 400M World Champion Eric Prince, 42, of Dallas.
• 75 year-old Jeanne Daprano of Fayetteville, GA, the first 75+ woman in the world ever to break 7 minutes in the mile, just a few days ago, on July 21.
• 2010 athlete of the year, Women's Master Athlete of the year, and 2011 Pentathlon and Pole Vault World Champion, Rita Hanscom, 58, of San Diego.
• Winner of 100M and 200M in Sacramento World Championship last year Oscar Peyton, 59, of Accokeek, MD.
• 82-year-old Hall of Famer Harry Brown from Wauconda, Ill. who the indoor 200M record at a blistering time of 31.23 seconds.
• Oldest competitor entered: From Phoenix, Oregon, Southern Oregon Runners' 95 year-old Daniel Bulkley, a sprinter-hurdler, who took third at the World Championships in Sacramento last year and is a member of the masters' Hall of Fame.

Updated detailed daily schedule and athlete entry list is available here.