First time for me to chime in, but won't be the last.

Sorry, 58 makes absolutely zero sense.  
If walking is going to be added as a division as a "guest", why make it look even odder with an age break of 58? or 56?

Every age group is random.  Someone is always going to be younger or better.  Groups aren't set up for the organizer to have a better chance to win.

There are standard USATF age groupings. Stick to them.  That lends to consistency.
I can't give you any race of 300+ sanctioned by USATF-NE that don't have the age breaks at 5 year or 10 years. The specific data is, none have the breaks mid-way in the standard 5 year age groups

Steve


At 12:04 PM 7/8/2009, you wrote:

I meant age  58, only because it seems to me that 55, the usual cut-off makes it harder for the over age 58'ers.
I have on occasion lost to someone age 55.  for example.
Nothing fixed about this. Each race can define it...
we do not have sufificent data, only tendencies.. .
In a larger walk race,
How about age 56?
Josef


From: Thomas Knatt <thomasknatt@ yahoo.com>
To: newalkers@yahoogrou ps.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 4:23:52 AM
Subject: Re: [N.E.W.] Publicity and promotion for Stow Thanksgiving Day race, morning

Josef,
 Do I read the prize structure correctly, or is this a misprint?  What does under and over 58 mean?  Are you talking about 58 years old?  It seems like an odd break point.  Did you mean 50?
 
The NEW can lend support to this event.
Tom

Thomas Knatt
687 Townsend Road
Groton MA 01450
978-448-9663
www.ziplink. net/~tknatt
luthiers@alum. mit.edu
thomasknatt@ yahoo.com
Go to: www.cyberrentals. com
then type 109740 in search for vacation rentals box

--- On Tue, 7/7/09, Josef DellaGrotte <jdellagrotte@ yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Josef DellaGrotte <jdellagrotte@ yahoo.com>

Subject: [N.E.W.] Publicity and promotion for Stow Thanksgiving Day race, morning

To: "New england walkers" <newalkers@yahoogrou ps.com>

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 10:31 PM

I have succeeded in organizing a Walkers section for the big 'Bose" Thanksgiving Day race in Stow, MA. 5k, in conjunction with the race organizers and Stow Board of Recreation. Walkers (of all kinds ) will start first. 'elite' walkers in front.

there will be prizes: M-F, ist, 2nd under 58, and same over 58.

Now we need to get some publicity for NEW, by

1] having NEW have a table there that day...

2] racewalkers showing up (not a judged race, but a referee to watch for any running)

3] additional support form NEW in the form of a second prize, gift certfifcate, . something...

(They are wiating to hear)

I am going to ask for your votes to support disbursement of funds for this and similar projects we are organizing.

It is the only way at present that this organization and its mission can grow.

Please come to this meeting and support what you wnat NEW to do.

also, it would be good if everyone has a 'financial/Bank/ balance Report before July 26. we need to know this as members, (not only practically but also because it is  a requirement of any such organization like ours.)

Yours,

Josef Dellagrotte