Playing the numbers game... and winning!

They Don’t Call Them Master Athletes for Nothing

I planned to write a cute little feel-good story about some inspiring senior athlete I might find online.  I felt fairly confident I’d happen upon at least one or two.... It turns out their ranks are formidable and quickly growing.  And so rather than choose just one and deprive you of the rest, here are snapshots on a variety of these iron-folk.

At age 55, Canadian distance runner Martin Parnell pledged to run an astounding 250 marathons in order to raise money for Right to Play International, an organization that provides enables children in impoverished countries to participate in sports. In his very first race, on Jan. 1, 2010, Parnell ran in temperatures of -23 F. On Dec. 31, 2010 he completed his 250th race of the year, in weather that was only a few degrees warmer than his first race.  As he later told CBC News, "I didn't have a clue if I could do it, and there were times during the year that I thought 'This is it; I'm done.  But I just kept plodding, and here we are today."

63-year-old multitalented track and field phenom Philippa Raschker, continues to sprint, throw the javelin, high jump and pole-vault with abandon. An accountant she holds 18 world age-group records in track.

At age 58 Leland McPhie took up tennis.  At age 69 he ran his first 50-meter dash race.... and won!  Now, at age 95, he is still winning competitions in his age group.

Jane Hesselgesser enjoyed a career as a concert pianist.  Bill Cunningham was a soccer player and a double for 50‘s icon Frankie Avalon. Now in their 60’s and 70’s respectively, they compete as a pair in bodybuilding events around the world against couples 20 years younger.

Similarly, Japanese weightlifter Tsutomu Tosuka, age 74, took the winning title in the senior category of the Japan Master Bodybuilding Championships 2009.

Are there any physical activities you’ve put off taking on?  Might this be the time to try something new?  Come and share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you.

Warmly,

Lilo