RALEIGH, NC, March 23, 2004 /PRNewswire/ -- Signs of spring abound as flowers bloom, lawns grow green, birds return from winter voyages…and track and field athletes take to the great outdoors to prepare for competition.

One such competition these athletes will prepare for is The Southeastern U.S. Masters and Open Track and Field Meet, in Raleigh for its 34th consecutive year. All athletes 19 years of age and older are invited to participate in this conglomeration of events, which will take place May 7-9 at North Carolina State University.

Past competitors of note include Al Oerter, gold medallist and record holder in the Discus Throw during four consecutive Olympic Games; Phil Raschker of Georgia, nominated this year as a finalist for the Sullivan Memorial Award; and Earl Fee from Canada, who owns numerous world age-group records. Traditionally, most athletes have come from the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. At the 2003 event, 25 states were represented, along with several elite athletes from Canada.

The event, sanctioned by USA Track & Field, and is a full meet presenting all traditional track and field events, including men’s and women’s pentathlon, weight pentathlons and racewalking championships. The 2004 meet also includes the Masters North Carolina USA Track & Field Championships and the Southeastern Masters 20K Racewalk Championship. In addition, on May 7 at 6:30 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to attend a throws clinic with elite-athlete throws coach Jeff Gorski, and a sprint clinic with Saint Augustine’s College assistant track coach Harry Freeman.

All events will have a 19 to 29 age group, and five-year age groups for age 30 and older individual athletes. Entries for individuals are $18, which includes the athlete’s first event in track, field or road events, plus the final results booklet. Each additional event is $9. Relay entries are $20 per team. A 2004 USA Track & Field (USATF) membership is required for all events except for participants in the Team Relays, foreign athletes and active military. USATF is the national governing body of the sport under an act of Congress in 1978.

The first three athletes who place in their age group or relays will receive medallions. North Carolina men and women age 30 and older will additionally be eligible for NCUSATF awards.

The Southeastern U.S. Masters Track & Field Association is a non-profit organization of volunteers from all walks of life with its home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1971, the organization conducts the oldest continuous masters track & field meet in the United States.

Athletes and other interested parties may visit www.southeasternmasters.org for more information, an entry form, and prior year results. Media contact is A.C. Linnerud at phone number (919) 851-NCTF.