News

The biannual National Senior Games in Albuquerque in June saw HRW bringing home a slew of medals and ribbons in both racewalking and the new demonstration sport of power walking. The 1500M race was held at the University of New Mexico track, an excellent facility, while the 5K races were held at the famous Balloon Festival Park on a 1K non-oval lap path. Our defending Gold Medal winners from 2017, Karen Swisher and Alan Poisner repeated in the 1500M and 5K walks, Karen in the 65-69 and Alan in the 85-89 (although he was in the 80-84 division in 2017). Alan’s times were new records for his age division. Other racewalk medalists and ribbon winners included newcomer Manna Caffrey-Silver medals in both races, Juie Haller-Bronze in the 1500M, Fred Adams-Bronze in 1500M and Silver in 5K; Martha McCarter-5th place ribbon in 1500M and 8th place ribbon in 5K.

In the Powerwalking event, Martha McCarter brought home Silver in the 1500M and Gold in the 5K. Matt McCarter took 4th place in the 1500M and 6th place in the 5K. BJ Thornburg garnered 6th place ribbons in both races. This was an auspicious debut for the McCarters and HRW in an event that might become a regular feature in future Senior Games.

The results have been posted in the HRW Results page and the Kansas City Star

There were other notable (but not positive) events at this year’s Senior Games: a never-before experienced 1.5 to 2.5 hour wait that athletes had to stand in line at registration to pick up their credentials and materials, with the unhappy crowd at the Albuquerque Convention Center resembling rush hour at a New York subway station; and another unprecedented delay in announcing winners in the 5K that also lasted over 2 hours , and caused some winners to miss their opportunity to be on the winners stand. Nonetheless, our HRW gang along with a large support group of family and friends, did some fun dining together, had a great time at this year’s event, and look forward to the next edition in 2021 in Ft. Lauderdale.