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With race participants looking on, Forever Young 8K co-ordinator John Young (left) and Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap pose for a selfie outside the Richmond Olympic Oval on Sunday. The 8K, hosted by the oval, attracted some 250 walkers and runners aged 55 and over
Photo by Chung Chow
Inspiration abounds in Forever Young 8K
Bina Henderson of New Westminster, take a
bow.
The Royal City resident completed the very
long 8K distance at the 2017 Forever Young race Sunday in Richmond in just
under two hours. But even more noteworthy is that Henderson is 88 years old,
the oldest person in a field of 250 senior walkers and runners. She received a
bottle of champagne for her efforts.
Now in its third year, the annual event
affords those 55 and older an opportunity to celebrate being an active senior
and to set an example for others to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“We don’t want to be a small part of a big
running event, we want to have our our running event,” explains event founder
and race co-ordinator John Young. “It always gives me pleasure to note that the
first-place finishers are 55 or older, not the usual 20 and 30 somethings. We
are the only race in Canada that is specifically for those 55-plus. Seniors
deserve recognition too.”
The 8K event builds on the Forever Young Club
which he started a few years earlier. Twice each week, walkers and runners from
throughout the region meet up to tackle one of more than a dozen
club-determined courses.
Further advancing the camaraderie that is so
prominent within the club, the 8K also gives those senior athletes the
opportunity to further challenge themselves. Each participant, regardless of
where they finish, are deservedly proud to wear the medals and event t-shirts
symbolic of their physical achievements.
Blessed with near-perfect running weather,
participants were also treated to spectacular natural scenery as they walked
and ran along the north dyke and circled back through Terra Nova to the dyke and
home to the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Young said the oval also lived up to its
reputation to stage a “fabulous” event, which marked its inaugural year as
hosts of the Forever Young 8K.
“And one great feature of our event is the
generous number of draw prizes, with a one to two ratio, available to
participants. We had over 100 draw
prizes. Everyone agreed they are looking forward to coming back for 2018,” said
Young.
Walter Downey of Vancouver was first overall
in a time of 31 minutes, 50 seconds, a very respectable time for the 55- to
59-year-old age group. Last year’s winner, Craig Premack from Burnaby was close
behind at 33:35. The top female finisher was Kelly Rowson from Surrey in a time
of 40:40 in the 55 to 59 age category.
For complete results, visit www.foreveryoung8k.ca.
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