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Looking Back: The First US Women's SteeplechaseOctober 30, 2008
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Results of first steeplechase for women at the 1989 "World Veterans' Championships." This was the eighth edition of that meet, held in odd-numbered years starting in 1975. The 1989 meet was held in Eugene, Oregon, and thus introduced women's steeple to USA -- although it was already a national championship event in Russia.
"Veterans," now labeled "Masters" for these championships, enter and win awards based on their five-year age groups such as 35-39, 40-44 etc. Different age groups may compete simultaneously in distance races -- and that was done in this meet.
The 1989 distance was 2000 meters, used through 1994 for all female steepling of any age -- and using 91.4cm (36-inch) barriers. The barrier height was later reduced to 76.2cm (30 inches) for all female steeplers; and the distance for "open" championships was increased to 3000m. But the women veterans/masters championship distance remains 2000m.
World Veterans Champs, 5 August 1989 - Eugene, Oregon
W35-39 1-Robyn Winter, NZL 8:37.19; 2-P. Caleyama, IND 11:23.52.
W40-44 1-D Jane Holmes, GBR 7:57.65; 2-Susan Houlton, USA 8:12.83; 3-Susan Ward, USA 10:20.96.
W45-49 1-Joan Colman, USA 7:45.96; 2-Margaret Orman, NZL 7:54.19; 3-Erica Mercer, AUS 8:41.64; 4-Fay Riley, NZL 8:51.24; DQ-Marjatta Karjalainen, FIN.
W55-59 1-Sally Strazdins, USA 9:28.52; 2-Gretchen Snyder, USA 10:39.88; 3-Ruth Carrier, CAN 10:42.60.
Event Totals: 7 nations, 17 entrants, 13 competed, 4 DNS.
Steeplechase water jump action at the World Veterans Championships of 1989 when women faced the same barrier height as men: 91.4 cm / 36 inches. "Veterans" competition attracts senior-age athletes, some of them grandparents. Their meets are now labeled "Masters" and the steeple height is now 76.2cm / 30 inches for female competitors plus men age 60 and older. (Photo by James Fields)
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