It’s just that there is an incredible dropoff in competition performance and participation numbers. You can be the real national champ at 30 and run 9.69 or the masters national champ at 30 and run 10.69. It’s just not competitive.
It’s like being softball team champ at your company picnic. Show up and beat one or two competitors now you’re the champ. It’s totally opposite to “open” track where it’s you against the entire world. Masters track is you against .00001% of the world.
Track is great because it’s so incredibly difficult. To me, masters competition is the equivalent of going to Australia and beating Asafa off a 15m handicap and claiming you’re the best.
Run 11.10 at 29 and you’re ranked #20,000 in the world. Run 11.10 at 30 and you’re ranked #20? Come on now.