NB Athletes at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships
Until just three years ago, I wasn’t aware of the World Masters Athletics or the world-class competitions they host for athletes over the age of 35. Think of it as an Olympic-style experience, but for anyone over 35 who strives to challenge themselves on the global stage, competing against the world’s best. From March 23-30, 2025, Gainesville, Florida, was the proud host of the 10th biannual Indoor Championships, welcoming participants from 98 countries with a total of 3,470 registered athletes. Team Canada sent a large contingent of 214 athletes, many of whom were competing at a World Masters Championship for the first time.
Three New Brunswick athletes competed as members of Team Canada: Jim Burns of Moncton, Kim Roberts of Moncton, and Paul Gauthier of Rothesay
Jim competed in the M60 8K Cross Country event as well as the 10K Road Race.
Her week at the Championships was concluded with the ever exciting relay competition. She competed in the W55 4 x 200m Relay and her team placed 4th, coming in at 2:06.58 just behind Puerto Rico with 2:05.30, narrowly missing out on the Bronze medal! The penultimate race of the Championships was the Mixed 40 Relay. Mixed relays are a relatively new event and it was the first time they were included at a World Masters Championship. To field a team for this age group, Kim was brought down to race with the younger crew in the 40-44 age group, and her team came in with a time of 1:50.16, placing 6th. Because it is a new event, Canadian teams set new Canadian Records, so this undoubtedly added to the excitement!
Paul is one of NB top throwers and he is a force to contend with as he has been on a streak of breaking Canadian records lately. He continued this streak on the world stage, as he competed in Shot Put, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw and Weight Throw in the M60 age group. Paul had a commendable showing at this competition, narrowly missing out the Bronze medal in Shot Put by 2 cm, throwing at 14.78. This throw however broke his previous Canadian Record of 14.57 set in February of this year. Paul placed 5th in Weight with a throw of 17.75m, 7th in Discus with a throw of 41.41m, and to round out his competition, he placed 8th in Hammer with a throw of 43.79m. Not only did Paul set a new Canadian record in Shot Put, but his throws in Discus and Hammer are NB Records, pending ratification. Paul trains with the Saint John Track and Field Club.
Congratulations to our NB Masters athletes on their representation and good luck in the upcoming outdoor season.
If you would like to know more about this championship, it would be worth the time to check out what has been happening on the CMA Facebook page and Instagram. Join us on our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1A3JhHoqBH/ or on Instagram at canadianmastersathletics35. You will come across numerous stories from our athletes, each sharing their unique successes at the meet. For some, success is symbolized by the coveted medal placed around their neck. For others, it’s found in the camaraderie and sense of community shared among teammates, competitors, and new friends, as well as in the strengthening of bonds forged at previous meets. Success can truly take many forms!
If you had the opportunity to be at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center, the West End Golf Course, or along the roads for the non-stadia events, you would have felt the electric energy in the air as countries cheered for their athletes. The competition was fierce, but what stood out most was the incredible support Team Canada showed one another. That along with the way athletes from all countries supported each other truly helped foster a sense of community that made this Championship unforgettable.