Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

Black and Blue …and BRONZE!

Jayne Oppliger had never run a steeplechase course before. In fact, she had never attempted to hurdle, vault or make her way over even one high steeplechase barrier before. No prior experience…no training.

During the week of October 6th, Jayne was entered in four weight events in the 2002 World Masters Games in Melbourne, Australia. She additionally decided to enter the 2000-meter steeplechase. "That event involved running around the track 5 times and jumping over 30 inch high barriers 5 times each time around. One barrier leads into a water hazard, a waist-deep pool of water," Jayne explained. But she persevered and completed the taxing course. Her arms and legs became battered and bruised upon encountering, banging against and slipping and falling upon one of the barriers. She provided the photographers waiting at the water hazard with a field day as evidenced by some of the photos. But, she was successful and placed third in her 60-64 year age group. A BRONZE MEDAL!

Her other events were throwing the javelin, discus and hammer and also putting the shot. In preparation, Jayne had been able to train under the direction of Ryan Dirks, a part-time coach at Western Oregon University. "Ryan’s patience and his technical knowledge were most appreciated," she stated. Jayne exhibited improved form and did well, but not well enough to earn a medal in those four weight events. "The competition was spirited, with women coming predominately from Australia, and others from Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Canada," Jayne recalled. "I enjoyed the camaraderie and the encouragement expressed among the competitors in each event."

So, no medal in the weights, but still a rewarding experience and new friends made in the country Down Under at the 2002 World Masters Games.