I’ve had a busy, active, and fun week thus far during the 30th edition of the Huntsman World Senior Games here in St. George, Utah.
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, I competed in the 1500 meter race walk with 30 other women age 50 and better. I finished in 14:43.50, good enough for fourth in my age group, and a full minute faster than the 1500 meter race the previous Saturday during the Nevada Senior Games. The overall female winner, Barbara Duplichain, smoked the field with a time of 8:37.76.
The following day, I then race walked the 5K race on a runway course at the old St. George Airport. Under blue skies, cool temperatures, and little wind, I cruised to a 51:35.2 finish, more than 21 minutes slower than Barbara’s overall winning time of 30:28.5. Still, that was three minutes faster than last year on the same course with similar conditions. I also snagged third place and the bronze medal for my age group. Still, I have plenty of work ahead of me to improve my times.
The perfect cap was meeting three-time Olympic swimming champion Debbie Meyer. When she won gold in the 200, 400, and 800-meter freestyle in Mexico City in 1968, she set a record that stood until this year with Katie Ledecky swam to Olympic glory. Gracious, humble and so very personable, Debbie attended the post-race social to present awards to all race walk and power walk competitors. Thank you, Debbie, for making my day so special!
I have one more event to play, I mean, participate in: the sprint-distance triathlon set for tomorrow starting and finishing at the Summit Athletic Club off River Road. The race starts with a 450-meter outdoor pool swim, followed by a 20K (12.4 miles) bike, and a 5K run (or power walk for me). This will be my first triathlon in a few years. My last senior games’ triathlon was in 2010. I’m excited to get back into it!
About Bonnie Parrish-Kell
