Published: August 30, 2008 06:57 pm      

Bluegrass Regional Boomer and Senior Games set for Saturday

BEREA — The 2008 Olympics in Beijing may be over, but local athletes ages 50 and older still have a chance to grab a gold medal.

Berea College and the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living will sponsor the inaugural Bluegrass Regional Boomer and Senior Games from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

“The senior games have been around for years,” said Paula Woodman, director of the Berea Senior Center. “There are state and national games. But, this is the first year that we’re trying to get this thing off the ground.”

“We would really love to get 100 participants the first year,” she said. “I think we’re getting close.”

Athletic events in the games will include badminton, basketball, cycling, golf, racquetball, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball and tennis.

Berea College’s Seabury Athletic Center will serve as the location for most of the competitions.

The Berea Country Club will host the men and women’s golf competitions beginning with a shotgun start for 18 holes of golf.

Golfers are encouraged to bring their own carts because a limited number are available at the club. Green’s fees, payable at the course, are an additional $16.50.

The fee for competing in the games is $10, payable during registration at 8 a.m. at the Seabury Center. The fee includes a games T-shirt, along with lunch.

Medals will be awarded in each event and age category.

“We have an older population that is educated about the benefits of physical activity,” said Martha Beagle, associate professor of physical education, health and athletics and track and field coach at Berea College. “They are a group of people who looks for opportunities to be more physically active. Because of the variety of sports and lunch-hour activities, we are attempting to reach a broader group of older adults, not only the competitive older adults.

“Participation and having fun participating in these games is very important,” she said. “Age is irrelevant. It is a good idea for everyone to be physically active.”

Three physical education major classes at Berea College, along with other student volunteers, will play key roles at the event, Beagle said.

“The benefit for our students will be wonderful helping them to realize and witness that physical activity participation is a lifetime adventure,” she said. “It doesn’t end with old age and retirement. It continues.”

As part of the games, all athletes and other community members are can enter their best art and/or crafts in the “Art at the Games” exhibit.

First-, second- and third-place “best of show” will be selected by a panel of independent judges and awarded medals in each medium of art work.

While the first year of an event always is difficult, Woodman said she hopes the athletes will inspire others to join in on the fun.

“I think a lot of people when others can do it will say, ‘If my buddy can do it, why can’t I do it?’” she said. “I think it encourages them to try to. You really don’t have to be a star athlete to participate.”

To register for the inaugural Bluegrass Regional Boomer and Senior Games, call Woodman at 986-8350 or go to www.foothillscap.org or www.bgadd.org.



Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.