Jim Runge, 72, Eldorado, Texas
We promote Senior Games as an opportunity to find fitness, fun and fellowship. Jim Runge of Eldorado, Texas has been in the business of promoting fun, so it’s natural he would want to incorporate his style into his sports.
Runge, now 72, provided midway games and novelty acts for parties, corporate events and festivals for many years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Over time he found himself getting into the act. “One time, a stilt walker didn’t show up and I started doing it myself,” he recalls. “Another time, an Elvis impersonator I hired wasn’t very good, so I dressed as The King. Now I have over 100 character costumes. Some of them are historical characters like Mark Twain and famous Texans. I especially enjoy putting on mutton chops and doing Texas history talks portraying Sam Houston.”
When Jim moved back to his hometown and slowed down his business, he decided to find ways to keep fit. Competitive sports were a big part of his youth; he tried every sport available in his small town and continued with intercollegiate track, cross country and intramural sports. He qualified for the national championships in fencing, which led to his involvement in modern pentathlon and a national championship appearance in 1967. After that, he says “my athletic instincts basically went into hibernation for over 40 years.”
In 2010, Jim discovered local Senior Games and dove into a variety of sports. He has participated in 53 different events and traveled to state games in Texas and beyond. He qualified for the 2011 National Senior Games presented by Humana in swimming and horseshoes, and has returned every time since. “My daughter thinks I’m ADD because I get bored doing the same thing over and over again,” he chuckles, “So that’s why I do so many sports. I don’t have any visions of winning a national championship because I’m not concentrating on one event, but that’s OK.”
Jim just had to bring some fun with his Senior Games participation. At local and state games he has been known to appear in costume to lighten the atmosphere. “One year, I dressed up like a leprechaun when the Texas games in San Antonio were on St. Patrick’s Day. I usually wait until I finish my competition to dress up and walk around, but I did wear my Robin Hood costume to do archery once.”
He also designed a special costume that makes it appear that he is being carried by another person in a box decorated in Senior Games theme. “There are some who think it’s not appropriate, but I do get a lot of good comments, and people always come up and want to take pictures with me. It’s about more than just competition, it’s also a chance to meet people and have fun.”
This summer, his national participation in Minnesota was limited to shuffleboard due to proton beam treatment he needed for prostate cancer. “I didn’t have any major side effects from the treatment, although my energy level wasn’t as high as it had been. The doctor tells me the reason I don’t have more problems is because I’m so healthy otherwise.”
Jim admits he’s a little on the eccentric side, but he has a serious purpose. “Doing this fun stuff and my athletics keeps me going. It keeps my body and my mind active.”
