Kokomo — Jerry Lambert has competed in about 30 race-walk events annually for the last 21 years.
So Thursday’s half-mile walk at the 31st annual Area Five Agency Howard County Senior Games in Foster Park was literally a walk in the park for Lambert.
Lambert, a retired gas company worker from Logansport, came away with third place in the event, earning him a bronze medal in the first competition of the day.
“It was fun,” said Lambert, sporting his medal.
“Now, we’re going to do the softball toss.”
Lambert was one of about 53 men and women over the age of 60 who participated in the senior games. Along with the walk and softball toss, participants competed in an array events, including bean-bag toss, euchre, dominoes, darts and water-balloon toss.
“I like them all,” Lambert said of the events. “I like the competition.”
Mary Rutherford, who took second place in the woman’s walk, was inspired by Lambert’s durability.
“We were first in the balloon toss last year,” she said after the walk. “It was fun.”
Along with the competition aspect for seniors, the event focuses on exercise and bringing people together, said Cindy Wagoner, who works for the Area Five Agency.
“We have a good time,” said Wagoner. “It’s not about who finishes first and it doesn’t take super athletic ability. It’s about the fellowship and fun.”
Wagoner said the senior games began as a national event before it came to the Hoosier state and eventually caught on locally.
“We could not do this without our sponsors,” she said.
The seniors started the day with a free breakfast and were treated to a free lunch thanks to Howard Regional Health System, which also organized a free concert and lunch at the west campus for the community and the senior participants.
The events will culminate with a victory banquet today in Logansport.
“It’s fun,” said Alice Banner. “I really like it and its good exercise.”
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
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