Athetics Essendon was represented at the World Masters Athletics Championships – Malaga, Spain by 5 of their best masters athletes, John Cooper, Mark Giglio, Mark Harper, Domonic Costello and Anna Kasapis. Our athletes represented themselves, their club, and their country with the highest of effort and performance.

Stand out athlete was Mark Giglio, who competed in 3 events, the 100m, 200m, and was a member of the M45 4x400m relay team, who won gold in a thrilling final.

See the below video for the action of the race.

 

 

Our athletes have documented their WMA experiences. We congratulate you all for your fantastic representation and perfomances!

Congratulations!

John Cooper

The city of Malaga played host to the 2018 World Master’s athletic Championships between Sept 1 and 16

Malaga is one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities and is ideally located on the beautiful Costa del Sol (Like Sunshine Coast) with the waters of the Mediterranean Sea lapping its beaches.

With a friendly population of approx. 600,000, its climate is perfect for outdoor activities. Malaga has a wealth of history dating back nearly 3000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest cities.

With this background, Athletics Essendon were represented by 5 of its 40+ athletes.

Three were randomly selected to represent Australia at the opening ceremony; the officials asked that only 8 athletes from each country march into the opening….some how Australia decided we should all march. There was lots of talk from the officials but it all ended with smiles!

Malaga boasts 4 very good athletic centres, although the warm up areas could have been better. At Carranque you basically warmed up with people walking their dogs, while at the main stadium, the warm up area was underground.

Masters athletics starts from age 35 and goes on in 5 year increments. An athlete in M50 is a male between 50 and 54years 11 months.

For those who imagine that people so old as 35 can’t run or jump or throw, I’d invite you to check out the results at www.malaga 2018.

Mark Giglio had a huge campaign. He made it through the heats and semis of the M45 100, 200 and 400. His Finals times were – 100m 11.78, 200m 23.84, 400m 53.91. The winner of the 400m recorded 51.07!

Mark was part of the Australian M45 4 x 400 relay which broke the 31-year-old Australian record while claiming gold.

Mark’s training partner, Mark Harper, competed in the M40 100 and 200m. He qualified for the semis. His best times were 11.83 and 24.05.

Mark was selected as part of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Dom Costello ran the heats of the 100m (7^th in 13.45) and 200m (7^th in 27.06). Unfortunately, his on-going hamstring injury prevented him achieving his best but he was a great support to the other Aussie athletes.

John Cooper qualified for the M65 800m (2:33.68). Despite losing second place on the line to an English runner, his time qualified for the final, where he placed 9^th in 2:32.15. The winner from Ireland recorded 2:16!

John came 4^th in his 1500m heat after leading until the 800m mark.

It was a fantastic experience and we are all looking forward to Toronto in 2 years.