The Area Office on Aging (AOoA) is hosting the fourth annual 50+ Sports Classic on June 12.

“The main reason for the event is to promote healthy aging and disease prevention for seniors through exercise,” said Justin Moor, vice president of communications and operations for AOoA.

More than 150 individuals are preregistered to participate in the sports classic, with registration also available the day of the event, Moor said. Participants range from 50 to 90 years old.

Competitions are divided among age groups so individuals may compete against their peers. Brackets for competition are ages 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; 85-90; 90+.

The classic will feature a wide range of events for individuals to choose from, including track and fi eld, swimming, tennis and table tennis, bowling, soft ball, 3 on 3 basketball, horseshoe and golf. Participants can sign up for as many sports as they wish.

Stephen Coker, 68, said he is “as excited as a kid for this event.”

Coker is participating in the event because he wants to be a positive role model for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will be cheering him on at the classic.

“What I’d like to see happen is when they get old enough, 68 or 70, that they will continue to pass on the legacy of eating healthy, exercising and doing healthy things, not only for themselves but for the community” he said. “I can’t pass it on unless I’m doing it myself.”

Coker said it’s not about winning or losing, but having fun and doing his best.

“I want to have fun, do my best to cross the finish line and participate. If I qualify for something else, I’ll follow it all the way through,” he said.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. at St. Francis High School, 2323 W. Bancroft St., and is $20 a person. Registration includes a free T-shirt, box lunch and entrance into as many sports as a person wants, Moor said.

Events start at 9 a.m. with the national anthem, carrying of the torch and lighting of the cauldron. Competitions are hosted at St. Francis and surrounding athletic facilities.

For more information, visit www.areaofficeonaging.com.

Tags: AOoA

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 11:46 pm and is filed under Community, Seniors.
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