The Long Run – April 2020

Association News A Message from the CEO We hope that your family, friends, neighbors and community are fine, and know we are thinking of you and wishing you all stay well. Our staff is fine and currently working remotely and adjusting to the change in routine as we continue to conduct the business and planning

Meatless Meets: A Vegan’s Perspective April 2020 Athlete of the Month

Ellen Jaffe Jones, 67, Sarasota, Florida While only a fraction of senior athletes follow a vegan diet, there is a trend with more turning to this option. Traditional opinions by coaches and athletes say that you can’t perform as well athletically on a purely plant-based diet, but runner Ellen Jaffe Jones is out to disprove

The Long Run – March 2020

Association News Personal Best: “I never want to grow up” Our next Personal Best story of perseverance and inspiration is Oklahoma cyclist Simeon Gipson. Ten years ago he retired, overweight with severe diabetes and thinking his life was over. He fought his way out through lifestyle changes, including bike riding. When his son bought him

This Team Doctor is On the Team March 2020 Athlete of the Month

Dr. Boyd Haynes, 61, Newport News, Virginia Virginia’s Bone Setters 55+ Men’s Volleyball team has a not-so-secret weapon that their name gives away- they have an orthopedic surgeon on the team. Dr. Boyd Haynes has been playing with the same group of guys around Newport News since the mid-1990s. At the time he had started

The Long Run – February 2020

Association News Personal Best Features “Comeback Kate” The 2020 class of Personal Best feature athletes grows this month with another inspiring profile of courage, determination and positive action to advance and overcome life challenges and obstacles. That’s what we call a Personal Best lifestyle. Kate Fisken’s story is about her own triumphant return to swimming,

Leonid’s Table of Good Health February 2020 Athlete of the Month

Leonid Sukher, 70, Brighton, Massachusetts Leonid Sukher has enjoyed table tennis since childhood. Growing up relatively poor with no access to equipment, he and friends made paddles out of scrap plywood to play. Little did he know as a youth that getting serious about his game would help regain his health later in life. Born

The Long Run – January 2020

Association News Personal Best Class of 2020 Debuts with “Mr.” Impossible Since 2013, the Personal Best health and wellness initiative has featured senior athletes who exhibit the attitude and habits of healthy aging as they navigate through the obstacles and challenges of life. Many have attracted national media attention, which has helped to raise awareness

January 2020 Athlete of the Month

Madonna Hanna, 66 Tacoma, Washington The Boomer Widow and the Olympic Hopeful Life challenges can sometimes cause people to give up on goals and dreams, but Madonna Hanna was determined to not let that happen when her husband Steven passed away in late 2018. A widow’s search for a new track coach led to an

The Long Run – December 2019

Association News Seasons Greetings As we near the end of a memorable and successful year, we extend our sincere holiday greetings to everyone involved in the Senior Games Movement, first and foremost to our amazing athletes and the support from their spouses, partners, family members and friends. Your example that promotes healthy, active aging makes

December 2019 Athlete of the Month

Bob Messersmith, 86, San Juan Capistrano, California “If you want to be old, you’re old.” Bob Messersmith has built a senior basketball dynasty. The teams he has organized and coached have won the California Senior Games championship 18 out of 20 years. His Team USA has dominated National Senior Games in five age categories over