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.

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."

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it's not how fast, it's how often

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

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.

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 ...