“Five go to Poland”
Poland Masters Athletics 30th Anniversary & Indoor Championships – February 2020
At the beginning of December last year when there was no Corona virus in sight, Eddie Mackenzie popped out a wee note asking if anyone fancied competing in the Polish Masters Indoor Championships in Torun in February 2020. Torun had been the spectacular location for the 2019 World Indoors Championships and Poland had made it one of the best ever World Championships to date.
The promise was that it would be a good championships including athletes from neighbouring countries such as Belarus and Ukraine which would lead to a good standard of competition. It also doubled up as the 30th anniversary of Polish Masters athletics which would add to the atmosphere of the Championships. Add into this the promise of cheap flights (£89 return to Gdansk with baggage) and accommodation (£35 Bed and Breakfast for 3 nights) and cheap food and the occasional aperitif and it sounded like a great opportunity.
In the end, five athletes signed up to the trip. Linzie Marsh (W40 High Jump), Kim Forbes (W60 2000m walk), Eddie Mackenzie (M55 60m Hurdles, Weight Throw and Shot Putt), Paul Forbes (M60 400m) and Paul Masterton (M55 High Jump).
The flight to Gdansk and road trip to Torun were a pleasurable experience with no issues. I really wasn’t sure what to expect arriving at a £12 per night hotel in Poland but was very pleasantly surprised. The rooms were basic but functional, it had wifi and the receptionist spoke a bit of English so all was good.
We headed out for dinner and to meet up with Eddie who was coming in from Warsaw and staying in a more celubrious hotel. At this point in time, Kim wasn’t even entered in an event and Paul was getting it in the ear for not organising an event for her. Eddie in his ever helpful approach and nature immediately made contact with the organiser and within 30 minutes, Kim was entered in the walk. Her annoyance quickly turned into excitement and then nervousness and Paul’s ears were spared.
The next morning, after a surprisingly good breakfast, it was off to the track. Paul knew the way so we followed him over what could only be described as an assault course of building works and down a few side streets but we eventually got there and headed to registration.
Now, Eddie had said that we were likely to receive a little more than the obligatory number and pins you receive at Scottish and British Championships so we were all quite excited that we might even get a T-Shirt ! We used some pigeon easy Polish words and gesticulations and registered with ease. Numbers, Pins, sized up for a T-Shirt, Some advertising material, a book from one of the motor sponsors with a beautiful illustrated book and a commemorative medal for their 30th anniversary. Amazing and all for the token of £4 per entry !
We picked a spot in the amazing arena to drape some Scottish flags and dump our bags. Eddie had noticed that the Pole Vault pit and scoreboard had been left from a big International meeting midweek and it was a great touch that the numbers on the scoreboard were that of Armand DuPlantis’s 6.17m world record. A very nice touch indeed.
Kim was first event and she was fluttering about as if she had ants in her pants. What if I get disqualified ? What if I get lapped? She started very conservatively for the first few laps and then really showed her competitive nature by making her way through the mixed, various age group field. She was having a ball and finished very strong. While having a chat with a new found Polish friend at the end, she suddenly found she had missed a lap and had to set off again. Nevertheless, she still finished 2nd in age group and won a silver medal. The small Scottish team had made a great start.
Kim was on a high and was wandering round with a Lion Rampant flag for her medal presentation. As it happens, the opening ceremony was going on around the same time so she decided to make the Nation proud and managed to pose alongside the bigger nations of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. Fortunately, she wasn’t asked to make a speech in Polish !
Eddie was next up in the first of his three events, the 60m Hurdles. You could enter three events for your £4 so in true Aberdonian style, Eddie was making sure he got his money’s worth and had entered the hurdles, Heavy Weight Throw and Shot Putt. Despite some stiff opposition, Eddie ran a great race to claim the Bronze medal. The Scots were flying now.
Next up was Linzie in the Womens High Jump. Poland, Belarus and Ukraine are all well renowned countries for having great high jumpers who look like they have been sat in B&Q grow bags all their life as they are giants. It was quite a daunting sight to see 5 ft 4 inches Linzie up against giants of over 6ft. However, what Linzie lacks in height is made up for in guts, focus and determination. She had a great competition and picked up a silver medal. Three out of three for the Scots now.
Paul Forbes was next and this well known athlete and coach was always going to be one of the favourites for his event. However, he wasn’t doing his “Normal” event as there was no 800m race available at the championships. Paul had therefore entered the quicker 400m. With a series of comeback injuries, this would be a good test of his body and speed. You wouldn’t have thought this was the case though as he sped through the first 200m almost 15m up on all his opposition. The next lap was a formality as Paul strode to gold in the fastest indoors time recorded in the UK at the time. A very impressive performance from the old stalwart. Four out of four.
The pressure was now on Paul Masterton in the Mens V55 High Jump. Like Linzie, Paul isn’t the tallest high jumper at 5ft 9inches and just like the women’s event, he was up against some skyscrapers over 6ft 5inches tall. Just prior to the event starting he was congratulating Mr Forbes and thanking him for putting the pressure on him as the only athlete left to try and keep up the 100% record for the Scots. Paul’s response was as tactful as always “Well Paul, just do your best and don’t feel bad as there is always someone that doesn’t come back with a medal” !
Fortunately, Paul managed to beat of all competition with a PB equalling clearance at 1.50m and take the gold medal. 5 out of 5 for the Scots.
Meanwhile Eddie was busy in the throwing events trying out the Heavy Weight Throw and Shot Putt. However, he was always up against it in these events as he was up against some monster sized athletes who wouldn’t have looked out of place in Worlds Strongest Men competitions. A valiant effort from the man but no further medals.
We made sure we had some team photographs taken around a nice presentation area and podium. This was a very professionally run event and no case of picking up your medal from a table in a back alley or room like back home in the UK.
The rest of our time was spent socialising and exploring the fantastic medieval city of Torun which was cheap as chips for eating and drinking and the hospitality of the Polish was just brilliant.
There was also talk about coming back and doing the Polish outdoor Championships in the summer but I suspect this will be cancelled like most other events around the globe.
I must add a massive thanks to Eddie Mackenzie for organising the whole event as well as the after event mementoes. It was certainly a great experience with an awesome group of people and I expect others will join for future trips.
Thank you Poland and Torun. We will be back.