Heartland Racewalkers and community members Alan Poisner and David Eisenberg attended the USA Track & Field (USATF) Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio, from July 16-19, racing in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter race walk competitions.
Poisner earned two gold medals in his age group, posting “all-American” times in both events. Eisenberg likewise earned gold medals in both the 5k and 10k, winning the 10k by an almost 5-minute margin.
Geneva is about 60 miles east of Cleveland, which was experiencing dreadful air quality resulting from widespread Canadian wildfires around that time. The track meet was scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, but the first two days were canceled because of air quality, and Day 3 starts were delayed two hours. The 5k race was supposed to take place outdoors on Friday morning but was moved to an indoor track on Saturday morning. The indoor venue was still laden with some greyish smog, and it was warm and humid on the track. But it was safe enough to race under the circumstances, so the race proceeded.
A substantial thunderstorm rolled in early Saturday evening, bringing plentiful rain and strong breezes, which worked wonders for the air quality, and Sunday morning’s 10k race took place in clear skies, pleasant temperatures and a light breeze.
The event was a great success for both competitors.
Heartland Racewalkers, which includes Poisner as a founder in 1989, is based in Overland Park at the Jewish Community Center and is one of the nation’s leading racewalking clubs. Its members meet for weekly clinics at the JCC throughout the year and compete in a wide variety of events, locally, nationally and internationally.