Senior Games cross the finish line

In 1984, the Green Valley Senior Games began with a modest goal: to unite the community and promote healthy living through maintaining an active lifestyle.

Now, 24 years later, the Senior Games has expanded into Green Valley’s most popular community event.

This year’s edition featured 730 athletes — four over the age of 90 — and 142 volunteers participating in 37 events.

Of the total registered, 80 percent were Green Valley and Sahuarita residents. Participants from as far away as Casa Grande, Sierra Vista, Sun City West and even Canada also made the trek to Green Valley.

More than half of those involved with the games attended Thursday morning’s recognition breakfast at West Center, which featured a 550-picture slideshow from the Green Valley Camera Club and some closing words from the event’s coordinator, Karen Rans.

“It’s just great to see the community buy into our event,” Rans said. “It’s the most fun we have all year, and it just keeps getting better.”

Dozens of the attendees sported the official Senior Games T-shirt, created by Bob Kershaw. The blue-gray fabric served as a backdrop for Kershaw’s desert-themed design.

Diane Rochford won the 2008 design contest, and her logo will appear on the 25th anniversary T-shirt.

With more than three weeks of competition in the books, Green Valley Recreation put together a 2008 results book to as a keepsake for the athletes to show where they finished in their respective events.

Each of the 42 event coordinators received a special moment of recognition for their tireless efforts. Rans said the golf skills chalenge, the 18-hole golf and the track and field events will be looking for new coordinators for 2009.

Now that the 24th Annual Green Valley Senior Games has wound down, Rans said there is only one thing left to do.

“Looks like it’s time to start getting ready for next year,” Rans said.

The 2009 Senior Games will serve as the event’s silver anniversary, and Rans said she hopes to crack the elusive 800-participant barrier.

Registration will begin on Jan. 2 on www.gvrec.org.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747