Masters or Veterans?

msfenetre · #1 22nd Feb 06, 08:37 AM

There seems to be a lot more use of the americanism 'masters' these days over 'veterans'. I'm not keen on being old

but think veterans is a much clearer definition of the category.

chrisity · #2 22nd Feb 06, 10:10 AM

i agree with you. master implies being an expert whereas we are just older and in my case not wiser. master smacks of superiority and smugness. i prefer the term that we tend to use amongst our local vet community of "old git."

ajtuna · #3 22nd Feb 06, 10:25 AM

It does appear a elitist to new runners and I'm sure that's not the intention.

Treadmill · #4 16th Jul 06, 12:09 AM

It brings us in line with other sports. The general public's view the term 'vets' is of OAPs in retirement homes. I agree with the idea of broadcasting the notion we are not past it. Any BBC TV coverage of 'vets' events consists of a 90 yr old doing the hurdles and coming a cropper somewhere during the race. It's partly a matter of gaining respect.

JenT · #5 17th Jul 06, 08:09 PM

Not sure, but it looks as though you only have to be over 35 to be classed as Veteran (female).. could that be true? Anyway, I am but a mere Beginner (false beginner admittedly - I do seem to have lost 20 years of training along the way...)

and yet, at 40, I'm a Veteran to boot....
but alas its good to still be a Junior on the Runners forum ...

scr8pe · #6 26th May 08, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisity

i agree with you. master implies being an expert whereas we are just older and in my case not wiser. master smacks of superiority and smugness. i prefer the term that we tend to use amongst our local vet community of "old git."

Having read through some of my recent posts without the aid of a bottle of wine, I realise that I have turned into Victor Meldrew

dimple · #7 26th May 08, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scr8pe

Having read through some of my recent posts without the aid of a bottle of wine, I realise that I have turned into Victor Meldrew

Surely you're not that bad are you Scr8pe

JBBury · #8 27th May 08, 10:01 AM

Maybe they use Masters in the US, rather than veterans, because vets has a military connotation in the US. If they advertised vet races in the US, people might assume that it was only for old, crazy eyed vietnam veterans still living the Vietnam war.

richardsimkiss · #9 27th May 08, 10:16 AM

My thoughts exactly JBB!

scr8pe · #10 27th May 08, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dimple

Surely you're not that bad are you Scr8pe

may be not, but I spend more ime than ever biting my tongue!