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

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 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

The Long Run – November 2019

Giving Tuesday Remember the NSGA on #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events. This year, Tuesday, December 3 is the global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to help celebrate generosity worldwide.

Kathy Meares, 70, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Kneed for Speed Kathy Meares has never needed to be told to go out and play, and her youth was filled with sports. Growing up before Title IX, the Louisiana native did not have the opportunity to earn an athletic scholarship, but she avidly competed in intramural volleyball and