As the sun rose over the white sands of Hollywood Beach, senior athletes warmed up their muscles in preparation for the 5K Road Race at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Charnow Park provided a picturesque start to the competition, with towering palm trees and a wide paved broadwalk with beach houses, luxury condos and park space facing a pristine beach.

After the athletes took off for their 3.1-mile route, families anxiously lined the finish approach, waiting to cheer their loved ones on with signs and noisemakers. 

Texas Trekker Mary Kaplan Did it Big, and  Now She’s Doing it Small

Mary Kaplan  has not only run a 5K race in all 50 states, she has also achieved the goal to run a 5K in every Texas county, and there’s a whopping 254 of them. Not bad for someone who accidentally found her sport at the age of 43. (Read our 2018 story here)

Now 83, the retired Air Force nurse won’t repeat the county sweep, but she has found a new goal – run a race in little known or quirky-named towns in Texas. “There’s hundreds of little towns nobody has heard of, and it’s something fun to do.”

Asked to give examples of town names, she replies, “Weeping Mary is one I enjoyed finding. Then there’s Best, and Very Best – those are two different towns!” Given that she lives in the small town of Sunrise Beach, Texas, which does not have a beach, may have contributed to her inspiration. You go Mary!

“Mr. Competition” Gets a Birthday Boost from the Calendar

Dr. Diego Humphrey from Oklahoma was thrilled to beat his goal time by five minutes in the May 12 National Senior Games 5K. A cardiologist, Diego stays active to set a good example for his patients. His wife, Ellen, adds that he also has a competitive streak, jokingly calling Diego “Mr. Competition.”

A lifelong runner, Diego prefers longer distances and has completed numerous half marathons and five marathons, including the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, which is special to him. Honoring those killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing keeps Diego motivated on tough extended runs. 

These National Senior Games are Diego’s first and have a special twist – he’ll turn 66 the day between his 5K and 10K races. Happy birthday, Diego, we hope your first 10K at 66 is your best yet!

David White and Judy Petersen have competed in Pickleball as a team for over seven years! White’s family made a trip out of this year’s National Senior Games all the way from Illinois to watch the team compete in the mixed doubles 75-79 division. Their shirts read, “Some grandpas take naps, real grandpas play pickleball then take naps.”

We know you like to dance – we saw some smooth moves as athletes danced to Latin beats at Wednesday’s Flame Arrival Ceremony, as shown in the photo.

Before you line up for the Parade of Athletes and the Celebration of Athletes next Monday May 16, plan to arrive at 5:45 pm to get ready for an attempt to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS for the Largest Game of Freeze Dance, sponsored by Iovera.

It’s easy to play and all the fun happens outdoors at the Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, just a block from Wednesday’s party.

Come on out and let’s be a team to share in a world record!

Florida Feature by Nick Gandy, Florida Senior Games

Florida athletes at the 2022 National Senior Games 5K Road Race Thursday morning stretched from the low end of the age groups to the high end.

On the low end, Lakeland’s Robert Thornhill  won a silver medal in the 50-54 age group and was one of the top ten overall finishers in the race.  On the other end was Maria Georgiev, of Longboat Key, who earned a silver medal in the 85-89 age group.

There’s more difference between the two runners than their ages.

For the 53-year old Thornhill, it was his first National Senior Games appearance.  Georgiev, on the other hand, was running in her fourth National Senior Games, dating back to the 2013 Games, where she won a bronze medal in the 75-79 age group, then a gold in the 80-84 age group in 2015, capped with another gold in 2019, in the 85-89 age group.

Robert Thornhill runs the 5K Road Race at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.

Thornhill, who was the overall top finisher in the Florida Senior Games, presented by Humana, in 2019 and 2021, is a fifth generation native of Polk County and is a partner in the Howell and Thornhill Law Firm. Georgiev, the Florida Senior Games 5K Record Holder in the 85-89 age group, immigrated to the U.S. from Slovakia in 1968 with her husband to escape invading Communist forces. Both were doctors and did not want to leave, but the Fate brought them here.   

The differences between the younger and older runners  ended when the 5K Road Race started on the Hollywood Broadwalk as the sun began peeking out from behind clouds on the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. 

When Thornhill crossed the finish line with a time of 18:40, the sun was shining bright. It was still bright at 39:44 when Georgiev crossed the line.. Even with their medal winning performances, both of the high level competitors spoke of nagging injuries that kept them from better times.

“I pulled a calf muscle at a sprint triathlon a few weeks ago,” Thornhill said of his performance that was only eight seconds slower than his gold medal winning pace at the 2021 Florida Senior Games.

Georgiev was on medication for a recent bout with the COVID-19 virus and was in doubt of making the trip across the state for the race. 

“I had a negative test on Monday of this week,” she said. “I ran a couple of miles on Tuesday and felt fine and decided to come.”

Maria Georgiev crosses the 5K Road Race finish line at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.

Both know the benefits of their active lifestyles through their professions.  Thornhill manages to keep his impressive road race times while managing a successful law practice. He plans to compete in the Senior Games events for years to come.

“I get up early and work late,” he said. 

Georgiev was a practicing cardiologist in Charleston, West Virginia, until she and her husband retired to Longboat Key more than 20 years ago. That’s when she took up running at 65.

“I mix things up,” she said. “I run, swim, work out on the elliptical and lift weights.”

When you’re in the game, you don’t have time for pain! Feel better faster with Arnicare Gel. This topical pain reliever is unscented, quick-absorbing and made from a plant.

Stop by Arnicare booth #410 for free samples, plus sign up for a complimentary massage. Arnicare is made by BOIRON USA, world leader in homeopathic medicines.