[OZBOZO]

Has anyone else noticed how dramatic the fall-off in numbers is in the older vets age groups in races?
It seems if you can hang in there long enough after age 60yrs or so,the numbers fall away quite dramatically.Is it just a case of injury prevailing or loss of interest now we can't get decent times? I have had different problems for the last 13 yrs or so but always seem to get over them eventually.The body is a wonderful thing.

[steepler]

It may be due to the fact that the Grim Reaper catches them up!

[Fulmar]

Quite the opposite in Portugal with more and more vets on the roads and tracks!

[OZBOZO]

Originally Posted by Fulmar

Quite the opposite in Portugal with more and more vets on the roads and tracks!

Oh! yes we too have lots of vets in 40-55 age groups but drop-off is marked after 60 or so.I think the Grim Reaper waits a bit longer,at least in the Western world,before he/she packs us off.
Even in some of the bigger road races in UK relatively few 0/65 and very few o/70's.
Even worse in OZ from what I can see.

[Fulmar]

There are many runners in their early-mid 60's here.
Lots of doping accusations among veterans as well, as here there's usually prize money for them...

[OZBOZO]

Originally Posted by Fulmar

There are many runners in their early-mid 60's here.
Lots of doping accusations among veterans as well, as here there's usually prize money for them...

Haven't heard of any doping in Oz among the oldies,we certainly do not have prize money for them.
I do recall a sprinter vet here many years ago remarking(jokingly) that any vet not taking some medication should be banned.
Lots do have to cope with life's physical problems of ageing,but hopefully with legal medical products.

[telmadee]

there was a guy of 85 running this years half marathon at Sheffield, he has been running it for the past 25 years every year. What a guy!

[Runningfox]

Originally Posted by OZBOZO

Even in some of the bigger road races in UK relatively few 0/65 and very few O/70's.

True. In the last race I ran there were 1,509 finishers - but only 11 MV70, 2 FV70, 48 MV60 and 16 FV60.
I believe there are quite a number of good veterans out there in the upper age categories who compete in 'Vets only' races in the UK. For a small entry fee prizes are generally good value and well distributed in all five year age groups. They certainly are in Yorkshire Vets A.C. that I run with.
Many bigger 'Open' races charge exorbitant entry fees but only give 'token' prizes to Super Vets which no way match those given to the lower age categories. If vouchers are given they generally decrease in value towards the upper age categories - and often that upper limit is V60 - which gives the likes of me no chance at all!
If UK Athletics had any clout they'd standardize the rules regarding distribution of prizes in road races, i.e. for pre-entries race organisers should be compelled to recognize all five year age categories, up to whatever age, and all vets prizes, male and female, should be the same value. This would encourage older vets to carry on competing and I think we'd see a lot more of them in races. As an MV75 I know for a fact I put just as much effort into my training as an MV40 and prizes should reflect this.
By the way OZBOZO, welcome to the forum. It's good to have another Super Vet around!
Cheers!

[Fulmar]

Ran at a track meeting yesterday.
As an example, in the 800m there was one round of under-40's and 3 of vets!
In the 200m, one more of vets!

Bad sign when it comes to showing the interest of younger people in the sport but a good one when we consider that people keep on running (and competing!!!!!) into their 50's, 60's and 70's!
The oldest runner there yesterday was 72 (there is an older one that usually competes but maybe he's going today).

[OZBOZO]

Running Fox,what the heck is a Super Vet?
I presume it relates to being O/70 or something?
I generally agree with your sentiments re training effort in different age groups,just wish that injuries in latter years had not inhibited my ability to work as hard as when I was inthe M40's.
I would be interested in your experience as a vet who,going by your profile,came into running/racing at a fair age.How have you fared with injuries over the years?