Are USATF Masters Champs really the best for their age?

You mean ‘best’ (fastest?) strictly in the US? I think those events do draw out fast age groupers.

To get that fast requires serious training. For someone to be that physically, mentally, emotionally (etc) invested, it’s not unusual for them to then want to display their efforts, and see how they stack up against others.

That said, some of the biggest non-champs races in the country would also draw out very good competition.

The Carlsbad 5000 would be an example.

Another group of ‘organized’ champion-type races that are not USATF associated, are the National Senior Games, but they don’t seem to draw out as many serious competitors.

Edit: substitute ‘high-level’ or ‘fastest’ for the word ‘serious’. They may be taking the competition seriously, but they are not necessarily the fastest of the top-tier.

Downvotes for presenting facts? Disgruntled mid-packers? lol

Yeah. That's weird. Carlsbad 5000 is a premier masters event, at least most years. Generally speaking, any of the historically prestigious events draw some top guys. For depth though, Club XC is the deepest.

The fastest masters runners are elites that are still competing after 40. There are plenty of "retired" elite runners over 40 who could destroy the fields at these masters championships. Once you start getting into the 50+ range, it's more of an issue of attrition.

Good point about Club XC. OP didn't ask about the marathon, but I'd guess Boston rather than Chicago or NYC. I really don't know what races would draw deep masters fields at 10K-HM, though. I'd be interested in finding out.

I think those races attract mainly runners from whatever region they happen to be held in. As far as concentration of talent, Boston Marathon, Chicago, CIM, and Club Nats are probably the top races.

Thank you everyone. Carlsbad 5000 and Club XC do look competitive! Good to know about Boston, relative to NYC/Chicago, for the marathon. Will need to look into Senior Games.

Any other nationally competitive races for 10K, 10M, or Half?

Well, my local turkey trot out here typically has 5-6 Masters up to 52 years old going 16:00-16:40.

The races in the USATF Masters Grand Prix series (https://www.usatf.org/programs/masters/masters-ldr/masters-national-grand-prix) each year attract strong fields because their is masters prize money, as well as competitive fields to race against. In the 60 and up age groups it has been my experience that probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the top 15 guys in each age group show up for any individual championship race.

Like any contest, they are the best among those who show up.

You had to have been there to win that.

There seems to be quite a few meets that bill themselves as National championships I noticed they are usually lifted cal events.

I'll echo old guy II's post. But for indeed the former pros/Olympians still competing into their 40s don't usually compete at these races (Lagat, Abdi, Deena, et al.), but most everyone else does at one time or another. Some show up a lot (5-6X a year), some only at select races.

Club XC is the deepest, followed by the East and West Coast championship races (usually 5-6 of the races of 8-9 race road/xc championship series) are on one of the coasts. To win any single age group championship you have to be ready to race at your best. For races under the marathon (and they haven't had a masters marathon championship for years now) there aren't many top runners in the US who don't race at least a couple of the USATF series any given year. However, there are a few who rarely show up.

Some big local regional races that draw top runners as competitive as any USATF masters champs include New Bedford Half, sometimes NYC Half, the aforementioned Carlsbad 5K, and San Jose Turkey Trot. Although it doesn't get much attention as a deep field because of slow times at altitude, Bolder Boulder is also very deep.

I've won a masters title from USATF. I'm well aware that there are a lot of 40 plus runners that would have beaten me had they raced. But so what- - it was fun.

Maybe Bolder Boulder used to be deep, but not anymore. I’ve twice finished in the top 3 masters there, but never even been in the top 20 at Boston or Club XC.

old guy II, thanks! That's interesting that they attract about 1/3 to 1/2 of the top 15 guys. I'd say that makes it a top race.

@Coyote Montane - where can I get info on the East and West Coast championships? Is that part of the USATF Grand Prix Series? That's good to know that the top runners will show to at least couple USATF races usually.

Thanks for the list of other competitive races!

One factor that affects the older masters runners is the possibility of drug testing at national championships. Once you are past 65 the likelihood of being on some doctor prescribed medication gets higher and higher. Some of these will flag a positive if tested. In theory the athlete could apply for a TUE but if you are an independent athlete without the backing of a shoe company or a doctor who is part of the USATF inner circle your chances of getting one are very unlikely.

As a result, a lot of masters self exclude from nationally organised events and just run local events. To be honest, the age group national champion is really just the fastest guy who could afford to travel to the event and is not on any medication.