Duane Gosa upset indoor world champ Robert Thomas on Sunday to win the men's Masters exhibition 400-meter dash at the USA open championships in Eugene, Ore. Duane, 44, went 49.92 in windy conditions on a sunny day in the low 70s. Thomas has the best seed time of 49.76, but was assigned difficult lane 1 in a random draw.

Minutes earlier, Aeron Arlin Genet, who turned 42 Sunday, wasn't pushed and cruised to a slow-for-her 4:40.76 in the 1,500-meter Masters women's event, and later tweeted: "Having a gr8 birthday! Won a race @ Hayward Field - 1st master's race took the GOLD! Incredible crowd totally luv the Eugene crowd!"

Her race included surprise entrant -- Joan Benoit Samuleson, 52, who took fourth in 5:02.34 -- about 10 seconds off Kathy Martin's W50 American record of 4:52.55.

Joanie, whose name isn't listed in the online Status of Entries, joined the field without going through the usual channels.

Of course, an Olympic marathon legend (gold medalist at 1984 L.A. Games) is more equal than others when it comes to trivialities such as entry deadlines. And even though she got a big ovation at her introduction, others weren't cheering how she got into the race.

For example: Masters world hurdles champion Don Drummond posted on my blog:

"Rule Book! PLEASE!!!!!!!!! If rules were such a factor, then how did Joan Benoit get in? Like I said, it is all politics and Rules only come into play when convenient."

Mark Cleary, masters exhibitions national coordinator, explained Samuelson's presence in the field:

"She talked to someone high up in USATF and got herself put in the race. I didn't know until the day before the race. I talked with her when she checked in for the race and explained that there is a standard procedure for entering Masters Invitational races. She had contacted USATF National two weeks ago -- but they never communicated with me. So again something not within my control."

Almost as suprising was Gosa's victory in the 400.

A longtime coach and founder of the Team Ohio Track Club, Gosa had submitted a qualifying time of 51.22.

"I was a little surprised at Duane's performance," Cleary wrote me, "but he was a 46-second guy in college and we haven't seen him at Outdoor nationals because he coaches a youth program. He is definitely very talented and peaked well for this race. He had run a 51.4 two weeks ago, so he was coming down with his times."

Unfortunately, Gosa isn't entered at masters nationals in two weeks in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. No chance for a rematch with Robert Thomas.

Video of the 400 is posted here:
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235247/190505