Mandy Owens, a 58-year-old Power Walk competitor, arrived more than two hours before check-in began at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
Half an hour before the doors to the Athlete Village opened, the RecPlex was bustling with activity, and the line to check into the National Senior Games was quickly growing.
At the front of that line stood Mandy Owens, a 58-year-old native of New Mexico who will compete in the 1500-meter and 5K Power Walk events. Arriving two hours before check-in, she was motivated to get her credential early to scope out her venues, but she did not expect to be the first one.
Mandy is a longtime athlete and her eagerness is tied to her deep involvement with sport. “I’ve always loved competing…and that’s been with me ever since middle school,” she shared.
Mandy was ecstatic to be the first one in the doors, waving and smiling to the cheerful staff members, and she quickly received her athlete credentials.
Like most athletes, Mandy has had to overcome challenges. She sustained a knee injury at 43, but this did not stop her from competing. Mandy explained, “I got a partial knee replacement and had to find a new sport, so I switched to Power Walk.”
This will be Mandy’s fifth time competing in the National Senior Games, having previously competed in Alabama, New Mexico, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
By: Sydney Parker
