Category: Triathlon Info

I first became acquainted with the Senior Games through Jeanne Minder, whose triathlon story first appeared here on September 6, 2018. Jeanne was the gold medalist in triathlon at the 2015 National Senior Games held in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. According to the NSGA website, her time that year is the 7^th best overall in the Women’s 60-64 age group.

Then, in 2023, I spoke with Joe Simonetta, whose first triathlon was at that year’s National Senior Games in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also, at least once a year, I read in The Villages Daily Sun about residents of The Villages, Florida who compete in Florida’s Senior Games.

I decided that it was time for me to complete the picture of State and National Senior Games in the United States and Canada. This post is the result.

History of the Senior Games

The first Senior Games’ event, called the Senior Olympics, was held in Los Angeles, California, in 1969. Soon, the new movement spread to other states as the benefits of promoting healthy lifestyles through education, fitness, and sport became recognized.

Then in 1985, the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) was formed to recognize the need for organized athletic events to celebrate active aging of older adults. Their mission was: “Promoting the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness and active aging to adults ages 50+.” The first National Senior Games was held in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Senior Games in the United States and Canada Include Triathlon

Today, Senior Games are held each year in most states of the United States and provinces of Canada. These competitions include a wide range of individual and team sports from Archery to Volleyball, including Triathlon. Individual sports that may also be of interest to triathletes and other multisport endurance athletes aged 50 and over include swimming, cycling, and running. However, not all states include all sports or triathlon in their schedule. The table below includes websites for the many State Senior Games where you can see the list of activities and their schedules.

The NSGA also hosts the biennial National Senior Games, held in odd-numbered years. This world-class competition celebrates the athletic accomplishments of older adults and inspires people of all ages to be active.

The National Games brings together over 11,000 participants ages 50 to over 100 years, to compete in over 25 sports. These sports include individual triathlon and the triathlon relay. Athletes who wish to take part in the National Senior Games must qualify for them in the year before the Games.

To qualify for the National Senior Games, athletes must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Be at least 50 years old by December 31st of the year prior to the National Senior Games.
• Qualify to participate in the National Senior Games during the year prior to the National Games. This means that those who will compete in the 2025 National Senior Games qualified for these in 2024.

Qualification Criteria Vary by Sport

Standards for qualifying for the various sports is where things become, or at least appear to become, complicated. To uncomplicate this matter, NSGA publishes an extensive Rulebook. Anyone thinking of competing in the National Senior Games should review the NSGA Rulebook.

In the Rulebook, you will find that NSGA publishes minimum performance standards for many sports, such as archery, golf, swimming, and track and field events. These standards typically define a certain score, time, or distance by gender and age group at their state’s Senior Games required to qualify for the National Senior Games. For other sports, such as tennis and volleyball, finishers qualify for the National Senior Games by achieving a certain place among all competitors within their state’s Senior Games.

According to Elizabeth, a representative of NSGA with whom I spoke, page 78 of the Rulebook contains rules for qualifying for the National Senior Games individual triathlon. Triathlon is among a few sports defined as “limited” events. According to the NSGA, a “limited” event is one in which an athlete can qualify in ways other than by participating in a Qualifying State Senior Games. For the individual triathlon there are two ways to qualify for the National Senior Games in the individual triathlon:

• Participate and finish in the individual triathlon of a State Senior Games, or
• Finish a qualifying triathlon of equal or longer distance than that of the National Senior Games triathlon. The athlete must then complete and submit a Limited Event Verification Form for the related National Games.

Note that the triathlon relay is “open”, meaning it requires no qualification.

Triathlon and Other Multisport Endurance Events at State and National Senior Games in 2025

The National Senior Games will take place on July 24 through August 4 in Des Moines, Iowa. The individual triathlon and triathlon relay are scheduled for August 1^st. You may still have time to compete in the triathlon at the 2025 National Senior Games.

How? If you finished a Sprint or longer distance triathlon in 2024, submit a completed “2025 Limited Event Verification Form” before March 15, 2025.

Other opportunities for 2025 are to compete in one of the many state Senior Games. In preparing this post, I emailed each USA state and Canadian provincial contact on the NSGA website. I asked them for information on their plans for triathlon and other multisport endurance events in 2025. Several, but not all, contacts replied with information. Along with the state’s Senior Games website address, I have included this information in the table below. I will continue to update the table as new information arrives so check back periodically.

2025 Senior Games Schedule

Qualifying for the 2027 National Senior Games Triathlon

You may be too late to qualify for the individual triathlon for the 2025 National Senior Games. However, you can still register for the triathlon relay.

You can also begin planning to compete in the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma. You can do this by competing in either a state qualifying triathlon or another triathlon of a qualifying distance in 2026. These triathlons need NOT be USA Triathlon-sanctioned races.

Organizers of some state triathlons say they will submit your times to NSGA for a modest fee. However, I recommend using the NSGA’s Limited Event Verification Form and following through directly with NSGA.

Comments

Do you have questions about either State or National Senior Games? Or do you have an experience with these to share?

Please let us know in the comments below.

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The Bible does not include the word “triathlon”. However, it mentions many aspects of the sport as a metaphor for life.

Introduction

Over the past decade and a half, I have trained for and competed in triathlons across the United States. I have also heard and read the stories of many senior triathletes and multisport athletes. From these, I have come to appreciate the benefits of multisport endurance training and racing, particularly in developing physical endurance and mental toughness.

In an earlier post, Four Symptoms of Impatience In Triathlon Training, I highlighted the benefits of patience in triathlon training. Not surprising, the wisdom of patience is prominent in the Bible. I highlighted some of the Bible’s statements in that post.

I have also seen the Bible’s many references to training, racing, and endurance sports. To me, the Bible continues to provide the best explanation of humanity and of life and its purpose.

Millions of people apparently agree. According to Guinness World Records, more Bibles have been sold worldwide than any other book, an estimated five billion copies. And, that doesn’t count the many downloaded electronic versions, like the free YouVersion Bible App.

While finishing this post, I received an email with a link to a Wall Street Journal article titled “Sales of Bibles Are Booming, Fueled by First-Time Buyers and New Versions“. The December 1, 2024 article cites a 22% increase in Bible sales during the past year.

In this post, I share some of the Bible’s references to endurance sports training and racing. Hopefully, you will be inspired to look into these more on your own or with family and friends.

For reference, all Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT).

Running

“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul, author of this passage, told his readers about his focus on telling others about God’s plan through Jesus, describing it as training with a purpose. Whether training for a race or competing in that race, most of us swim, bike, and run with a plan, a purpose. Otherwise, why bother? There are other ways to spend our time and money. The same is true in life. Be serious about what you commit yourself to.

Swimming, But Not Cycling

“as a swimmer pushes down water with his hands.” Isaiah 25:11 (NLT)

In this verse, the author, the prophet Isaiah, uses the analogy of a swim stroke to describe God stretching forth His arms to provide justice for His people.

Endurance Training

“If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5 (NLT)

This passage speaks of being prepared for difficulty. Life comes with difficulty, even if only seldom. Racing may also come with difficulty in the form of inclement weather, high or low temperature, or poor water or road conditions. It’s best to be prepared for these if you aspire to be a serious competitor.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT)

In these verses, James, the half-brother of Jesus, describes the value of difficulties in making us stronger. Isn’t this the idea behind progressive overload in triathlon training?

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” Romans 5:3 (NLT)

Here, the apostle Paul tells those in the Church to look at problems and trials as opportunities to develop endurance. Sound familiar? That’s the reason coaches advise us to not just train in pleasant weather, but also in conditions we might experience on race day.

Racing and Competing

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)

It is within our nature to compete. While there is such a thing as unhealthy competition, healthy competition in sports reminds us of the value of setting a goal for our life, then remaining committed to it. My counsel is that you choose the right goal(s).

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)

The apostle Paul, author of this letter to the church in Corinth, Greece, used an analogy of endurance racing for the Christian life. He knew that those who read his letter, or heard it read, would relate to this picture because of the popularity of the Isthmian Games in Corinth. He encouraged hearers to train for and compete to win in their spiritual life, with the same focus as athletes competing in the Games did.

“And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

Anyone racing in triathlon for a while has read accounts of or witnessed athletes attempting to cut corners or violate rules. One of the most common is drafting on the bike in non-drafting competitions. As in triathlon, we will never rightfully earn a reward in life while trying to cut corners or make up our own rules.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Seldom, if ever, does one enter a triathlon or other endurance race wearing extra weights. So too, the Bible teaches us to shed the unnecessary weights or burdens that slow us down or hinder us from producing our best in the race called life.

Here’s What The Bible Says About Triathlon

The Bible uses many metaphors for life based on endurance sports training and competition. It also seems to add credence to the adage that “life is a marathon, not a sprint.” Make yours a negative-split, stronger in the second half than your first half.

I hope you will consider the Bible’s portrayal of life and the world around us. I also hope you consider the teachings of Jesus and what the Bible has to say about Him. He is far more than an outstanding teacher.

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:14 (NLT)

Share Your Thoughts

Please leave your comments and questions in the Comments below.

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During my recent flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, I read “Where It All Began – The 1978 Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon” by Tom Knoll.

In this book, Mr. Knoll describes how the iconic long course triathlon known today as IRONMAN^® or IRONMAN 140.6 stemmed from a casual conversation between three guys in late 1977. He along with friends Dan Hedrickson and John Collins asked themselves what type of endurance athletes were the most fit. John and his wife Judy organized the first Iron Man race to help answer the question.

These pioneers of triathlon were onto something with their question and this race. In 2020, the value of the IRONMAN brand was $730 million. In 2022, the organization managing the IRONMAN brand had annual revenues estimated to be $260.1 million. It also had over 1,100 employees.

Here are some interesting tidbits about the first Iron Man triathlon from Tom Knoll’s record of this race.

Fun Facts About the First Iron Man Triathlon

Time and Date: 0700, Saturday, February 18, 1978

Basis for distances and courses for the three legs of the first Iron Man Triathlon

• Swim: 2.4 mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim competition
• Bike: 112 mile Dick Evans Around The Island Race
• Run: 26.2 mile Honolulu Marathon

Number of registrants: 15

Registration fee: $5, including a hand-crafted finisher award and screen printing of a finisher’s blank t-shirt or sweatshirt. After the race, John Collins refunded $2 to each of the registrants since the costs came in under budget. (Does that happen anymore?)

The picture from the book’s cover included above shows the Iron Man finisher award produced by John Collins.

Swim details:

• Location: Sans Souci Beach (now called Kaimana Beach) in Waikiki, between the Kaimana Beach Hotel and War Memorial Natatorium in Kapi’olani Regional Park.
• Fastest swim: 57:35 by Archie Hapai.
• Longest swim: 2:13:05 by Tom Knoll; used side and breast stroke and lost his goggles early in the swim.

Bike details:

• Course: counterclockwise around the island of Oahu on public roads.
• Tom Knoll’s bike: 3-speed Free Spirit bike purchased new from Sears & Roebuck for $96.
• Fastest bike: 6:56:00 by Gordon Haller.
• Longest bike: 11:39:00 by Dan Hedrickson.

Run details:

• Fastest run: 3:30:00 by Gordon Haller.
• Longest run: 8:20:00 by Archie Hapai.

Total:

• Number of finishers: 12
• Top three finishers:
  • Gordon Haller: 11:46:40
  • John Dunbar: 12:20:27
  • Dave Orlowski: 13:54:15
• Tom Knoll finished 6^th
• John Collins finished 9^th

More History

Chapter 10 of this book includes a brief review of earlier triathlons, the earliest dating back to 1921. Throughout the book, you will learn what Tom and others from this first race did in the years following this race.

What Type of Endurance Athletes are the Most Fit?

I am not sure it’s that simple. However, you may. Leave your comments below to share your thoughts.

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Affiliate Disclosure

® IRONMAN and IRONMAN 140.6 are registered trademarks of World Triathlon Corporation.