Masters athlete Bob Thurman placed fifth in the men's 60-64 long jump competition at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships in Malaga, Spain.
More than 8,000 athletes from 101 nations converged in Malaga, Spain in early September for two weeks of spirited competition at the 2018 World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships.
Among the throngs of competitors was a contingent of 24 local athletes who made the trip. For them, it was an inspirational experience filled with culture, camaraderie and fierce competition.
Being together was a continuous theme for the two dozen Sierra Gold athletes at the event. If they weren't competing, they were rooting on their teammates and fellow countrymen.
Schimek was just one of several local athletes who earned a medal at the World Championships. Distance running phenom Lynne Hurrell earned two medals, including gold as member of the women's 80-84 4×400-meter relay team and a bronze in the 5,000 meter race.
The always humble Hurrell said she's just trying to live up to expectations.
In addition to the glory she found on the track, Hurrell added she relished the opportunity to get to know her teammates better during the trip.
"When you run together, you talk to somebody for 10 minutes, but when you're staying together you learn all about what they're doing, what their hopes are, and you become better acquainted with the whole team," she said.
Other Sierra Gold members who earned podium finishes at the World Championships include Abe Underwood with a silver in the men's 80-84 steeplechase, and Makie Ohler with three bronze medals coming in the women's 55-59 individual half marathon, team half marathon and team cross country race.
Narrowly missing the podium, but still earning top-five finishes were Drue Mathies and Gordon Keller in the men's 70-74 team cross country race. Keller also earned fifth in the men's 70-74 steeplechase.
Grabbing top-10 finishes were Richard Harrison with a sixth place finish in the men's 45-49 shot put, and Patti Baker with an eighth place finish in the women's 65-69 hammer throw.
Earning top-15 spots were Kathy Slouber in the women's 65-69 shot put, discus, hammer throw and weight throw events, Bob King in the men's 75-79 5K and 10K, Inka Mims in the women's 55-59 10K and cross country race, and Mathies in the men's 70-74 steeplechase.
Sierra Gold members Dan King (21st in men's 55-59 10K) and Rene Sprattling (23rd in javelin, 26th in discus, 27th hammer throw in women's 65-69 division) also put forth strong efforts in their respective events at the meet.
In addition to the competition, the team embraced the Malaga experience, delving into the cuisine and culture around them.
The World Championships was the culmination of what has been an incredible year for the Sierra Gold team. They can add their seven World Championship medals to other accolades such as being the Pacific Association Masters Track and Field Team Champions, the Pacific Association Grand Prix Team Champions, and their second place finish as a team at the Outdoor Masters National Championships.