Clydesdale

n. in running or road-racing sports, a heavyweight classification for (male) participants weighing more than 200 pounds; a runner in that weight class. Also attrib. Subjects: English, Sports & Recreation

Editorial Note: The upper limit for the classification can vary. A similar category called Athena is for women weighing more than 155 pounds. Etymological Note: From the breed of large draft horse of the same name, via the Clydesdale Runners Association which lobbied for weight division awards in running sports.

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Citations: 1990 Craig Smith Seattle Times (Wash.) (Feb. 9) “The Weigh To Go—Clydesdales Starting To Leave Their Hoofprint On Racing” p. D8: The Clydesdale Runners Association has been founded to lobby for the weight-division awards. “I’m obsessed with this, and it’s driving my family crazy,” said Joe Law, founder of the organization.…Law said the name Clydesdale was a natural because of its connotation of “strength and power.” He said before the name was adopted, people turned up their noses when he approached them about creating “heavyweight divisions.…They thought I was just talking about overweight people.” 1990 John F. Berkery Usenet: rec.running (Nov. 14) “Hubba-Bubba”: Equivalent times for runners of different weights. Based on results from races which have included “Clydesdale” weight divisions in their competition. 1996 [Tricia Richter] Usenet: rec.sport.triathlon (Aug. 28) “More on Santa Barbara County Tri”: Even though this is one of only 4 races this season with a Clydesdale/Athena division, don’t worry about placing, just enjoy the race. 2004 [Burns] First Day Of The Rest Of My Life (Nov. 12) “The new me”: My first year of triathlons was pretty much in the lower middle of people racing in my age group (35-39). Being the big guy that I was, I was basically happy with that and quickly becoming one of the faster guys in my area over 200 pounds ("Clydesdales” in racing parlance).

Posted 27 Dec 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend