A Bit about the National Senior Games

If it’s a hot and rainy July week in an odd-numbered year, it must be time for the National Senior Games (NSGA). For those unfamiliar, NSGA is a biennial event. The location rotates from state to state. This year the games are hosted by Des Moines, Iowa.

In 2027, the host will be Tulsa, Oklahoma. Anyone over the age of fifty who qualifies at a state senior games event can participate in the national senior games. A list of locations and contact information for each state is available on the NSGA website.

Participation in road running requires that you run either the 5K or 10K distance at a state game event where it is offered, or submit documented information on any 5K or 10K road race that you have run recently. Most states don’t offer all events and since my state, Pennsylvania, doesn’t offer road racing, I ran my qualifying race at the State Games In Delaware in September 2024.

Let the Games begin with the 5K

My first event this year began with the 5K distance. The course was on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. On race morning July 24, it was 70 degrees and spitting light rain off and on at the start. The only elevation on the course was in the first mile. It looked worse than it was and the longer and less steep downhill was enjoyable.

After a few twists and turns through the Iowa State Fairgrounds we were at the finish. Among the 312 runners, first place went to Jeff Brune from the 60-64 AG with a time of 17:23. The first woman, Teresa Klausmeier finished (50-54 AG) at 19:26.

Slowing those times down just a bit, among the 13 women in 75-79 AG, I placed 3rd at 31:31, not far behind Linda Bert at 31:13. In first place, the fast and fabulous Kathryn Foucar set a new NSGA record for the W75-79 AG with a blistering time of 25:28.

When the awards, snacking, drinking, and celebrating were all over, the rain had left our return walk to our vehicles a bit of a muddy mess. How better to move folks about on the Iowa Fairgrounds than with a tractor pull?

Thank you Iowa State Fairgrounds! I understand the state fair is taking place this week. I hear it is one of the best in the country. It runs through the 17th if you’re interested and available.

Next up, the 10K

Two days later, another rainy morning at Principal Park, home field for the International League’s Iowa Cubs. Downtown Des Moines is a busy place with a bustling farmers market and other events in addition to the NSGA 10K. I didn’t find my way to the parking lot for the 10K, but eventually found on-street parking and made a run toward the start, making that sprint my warmup.

Small changes were made to the course because a couple of areas were flooded from the previous day and morning rain. The majority of the route was flat, a pretty course through the park on a bike path with sections along the Des Moines Riverfront.

The weather was humid but tolerable until about mile four when the morning haze wore off and under a blistering sun my pace slowed by a full minute. I plodded on to the finish, happy to have a cool bottle of water and a banana. I also snagged the last pistachio muffin (my favorite).

It was a great crowd of runners. I believe I met someone new from every state I’ve lived in. Then came the awards.

Among 220 finishers, Jeffrey Brune of Omaha, Nebraska, took his second gold (he also won the 5K two days earlier) finished first at 37:41. First woman finisher was Rita Vigil from Santa Fe, New Mexico at 42:53.

Down here in my W75-79 AG, there were 11 of us pushing through the humidity. Again, Kathryn Foucar from Albuquerque, New Mexico also taking a second gold with a time of 55:19.(she placed 1st in our AG in the 5K). She was followed by Dee Boeck at 1:01:02. Proud to make it on the podium, I came in at a distant third with 1:07:00.

With that, I’m ready to moves on to Ames, Iowa where track and field events are held. To be continued ……………………..