The Huntsman World Senior Games Celebrates 30 Years and Still Going Strong
St. George, UT (PRWEB) July 22, 2016 -- In 1987 Ronald Reagan was President, Michael Jackson was at the top of the pop music charts, and Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf at Wimbledon, but something truly remarkable was just getting started in St. George, Utah: [The Huntsman World Senior Games. The Games began with just seven sports and 187 participants, and Marvin Woodbury was one of them. He competed in the 5K road race and horseshoes that first year. In subsequent years he also participated in track and field and ran 15 triathlons. He has also run in two St. George marathons, set records at the Utah Summer Games, and taken top honors at the Masters’ National Championships in pentathlon, but Woodbury always returns to the Huntsman World Senior Games where he has competed every year for 30 years. Now at age 90, he will be competing once again this October as part of the 30th Anniversary celebration.
“I just enjoy the competition,” said Woodbury. “The Games help me to stay active, and I just got hooked on them. I encouraged many of my friends to come, too - even when they competed against me!”
Over the years, tens of thousands of top-notch athletes from all fifty states and 73 different countries have competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games, making St. George, Utah, the home of the largest annual sporting event for seniors in the world!
In 2015 over 10,500 athletes played in 28 different sports. This year the Games has a goal to reach 10,950 total participants - one athlete for every day of its 30-year existence.
The 2016 Games will run from October 3-15, and even non-athletes, can be part of this inspirational, world-class event. The opening ceremonies is on Tuesday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the newly christened Legend Solar Arena at Dixie State University. The Concert & Celebration takes place the following Tuesday night, October 11, at the Burns Arena. Both events are free and the public along with the athletes are encouraged to attend.
Those interested can also volunteer at the Games, or just come and cheer for the athletes. Visit http://www.seniorgames.net to learn more about how to be involved or to see a schedule of events. Families can bring the kids to the Canyons Complex Softball Park to enjoy a softball game, or head over to Little Valley to watch the fastest growing sport in the United States-- pickleball. From Square Dance to Table Tennis, there’s something for everyone. Spectators should plan to stop by the St. George Horseshoe complex where Woodbury will be competing and waiting to say hello.
About the Huntsman World Senior Games:
The Huntsman World Senior Games is the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes age 50 or better. Each October, for the last 30 years, people from around the world have gathered in St. George, Utah, to compete in the Games. In recent years the Games has hosted nearly 11,000 athletes from every state in the nation and 23 foreign countries (73 countries have been represented since its inception in 1987). For more information on the Huntsman World Senior Games visit http://www.seniorgames.net.
Kyle M Case, Huntsman World Senior Games, http://www.seniorgames.net, +1 (435) 674-0550 Ext: 111, [email protected]
Share this article