USA National Senior Games Includes Triathlon

Terry L. VanderWert on February 10, 2026

National Senior Games Association logo

I first became acquainted with the Senior Games through Jeanne Minder, whose triathlon story appeared on SeniorTriathletes.com 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 was the 7th 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. The resulting post was published in February 25, 2025. This post is an update for 2026.

History of the Senior Games

The first Senior Games, 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 published 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.

Jeanne-Minder-Minnesota-Senior-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-Award
Jeanne Minder was the 2015 Gold Medalist in the Women’s 60-64 Age Group Triathlon. She was later inducted into the Minnesota Senior Sports Association Hall of Fame.

Senior Games in the United States Include Triathlon

Today, Senior Games are held each year in most states of the United States. These competitions include a wide range of individual and team sports from Archery to Volleyball, including Triathlon in some states. Individual sports that may also be of interest to triathletes and other multisport endurance athletes aged 50 and over include several distances each of 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 preceding year.

State Senior Games in 2026 serve as qualifying games for the next National Senior Games. The next National Senior Games, held in alternating years, will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma from June 30 through July 11, 2027. The general schedule for the 2027 National Senior Games will be published by the end of March 2026.

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 2027 National Senior Games must qualify for these in 2026.

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.

Triathlon and Other Multisport Endurance Events at State and National Senior Games in 2026

The table below shows the states which host a triathlon in 2026. If you live in one of these, you may wish to participate in a triathlon in your home state. However, this is not a requirement for competing in the 2027 National Senior Games triathlon. Here is why.

Triathlon is considered a “Limited Event”. According to “2027 National Senior Games – Limited Event Verification Form Instructions“. Rule D states that National Senior Games’ participants must complete one triathlon during the qualifying period January 1- December 31, 2026. These triathlons need NOT be USA Triathlon-sanctioned races.

If you plan to compete in the 2027 National Senior Games triathlon, you must also complete and submit the “2027 National Senior Games – Limited Event Verification Form” before February 15, 2027. 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.

2025 Senior Games Schedule

Comments

Do you have questions about either State or National Senior Games? Or do you have an experience with these to share? Share these in the Comments below.

Also, please let us know if you plan to compete in the 2027 National Senior Games triathlon.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.

The 5 Things New Triathletes Over 50 Must Get Right

Terry L. VanderWert on January 17, 2026

Having a group with whom you can train is important for long-term triathlon success

Lessons from Laura Rossetti, four-plus decade triathlete and coach

Starting—or restarting—triathlon after age 50 is not about doing everything right. It is about getting a few critical things right early, the things that make the difference between struggling through the process and finishing races with confidence and enthusiasm.

Few people have a longer or more instructive view of that process than Laura Rossetti. Laura began racing triathlons in 1985 at age 29, long before coaching, data platforms, or training plans were widely available. More than 40 years later, she is still training, still coaching, and still racing—now in her 70s.

Her perspective is rare because it is not theoretical. She has lived through the sport at multiple ages and stages, and she has seen what helps athletes stay—and what causes them to disappear.

When asked for the five most important things older athletes must get right, her answers were grounded in experience, not trends.

Laura’s Top 5 List for New Triathletes

#1. Find Your Group: Everything Is Easier To Accomplish With Your Tribe.

“If you don’t always have a community, you just don’t do the work.”

Laura places enormous importance on training partners and community—not as a nice bonus, but as a requirement for consistency and enjoyment.

When she moved to Georgia in her early 50s, she “didn’t know a soul. Not one soul.” What made the difference was finding people through masters swimming and local training circles. Without that group, she said training would have been “really challenging and tough,” and she doubts she would have enjoyed the sport nearly as much.

Laura believes that building community gets harder with age. “It’s much harder to make connections when you’re 50, 60, 70. You have to put yourself out there or it’s not going to happen.”

For athletes over 50, community provides accountability, shared learning, motivation, and emotional support. Bike shops, running stores, pools, gyms, and even casual conversations with people who share an interest in swimming, biking, or running are all natural places to begin building that community.

Through our discussion on this point, I (Terry) realized that even though I self-coached, I was never truly alone. My community included the friend who talked me into doing my first triathlon, my daughter, and the people I met at my local bike shop, pool, and gym. It also included countless triathletes I met only briefly—often just once—who were generous with their time, advice, and encouragement.

#2. Hire a Coach—or Train with People Who Truly Know the Sport

“You don’t know what you don’t know.”

Laura raced for years without a coach because, when she started, coaches barely existed. Today, having a coach—or an experienced triathlete—to help guide training is a must-have for many athletes. For older athletes balancing work, family, stress, and recovery, a coach provides two keys to success: accountability and knowledge to define training that is objective, enjoyable, and realistic for the athlete’s life.

One story Laura shared illustrates the value of objectivity. A fellow coach recently tested a new athlete who believed she was “really fit.” After bike and run testing, the coach told her she was not as fit for triathlon as she thought. The data simply did not support her self-assessment.

As Laura explained, “Without someone looking at your data, you have no ability to be objective about it.” A good coach—or knowledgeable training partner—can help interpret data, adjust training when life intervenes, and reduce the risk of boredom or burnout.

Communication with your coach is critical. Look for a coach with whom you can communicate easily and honestly and are willing to follow. Read reviews or talk with clients of potential coaches. Your coach must be a fit for what you are looking for and how you think and live—not just your age.

Laura Rosetti says that one goal of every triathlete should be to enjoy what they are doing in training and racing.
Laura Rosetti practices what she preaches: at least one goal for every triathlete should be to enjoy what they are doing in training and racing.

#3. Do Not Let Data Overwhelm You

“Data is valuable; the only way to know if you’re improving is with data.”

Laura has completed Ironman races with little more than a heart-rate monitor. While she values modern tools, she cautions beginners against starting with everything at once.

For athletes over 50, she believes the most useful early metrics are the minimum needed to let you know if you are improving. This can include functional tests such as the time to complete a known distance, a test easily done for running and swimming. A coach will check to see if you are completing these in the same or lower time after the same amount of rest.

Heart rate is another useful metric. Training with a heart rate monitor can reveal issues athletes might otherwise miss, such as fueling problems, electrolyte imbalance, or accumulated fatigue. On the other hand, power meters and advanced analytics can come later, once the basics are understood.

Laura also emphasized the value of using Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)—learning what easy, moderate, and hard actually feel like. Without that internal awareness, numbers can become confusing or misleading.

“The real value of whatever metrics you use comes from knowing how to interpret them and improve them over time.”

#4. Set Goals—Especially Early On

“I just want to see you cross the finish line loving what you just did.”

For first-time triathletes, Laura believes “finishing the race with a smile” is the right goal. Enjoyment, pride, and learning matter more than time goals early on.

Many athletes over 50, she notes, never had the opportunity to participate in endurance sports earlier in life. For them, the first race is about discovering what they are capable of—not proving anything.

She stresses the important of perspective for those beginning in the sport. Completing a triathlon—at any pace—is something most people will never attempt, and that accomplishment alone deserves recognition and gratitude.

Over time, goals evolve. Early success builds confidence, which leads to new challenges and deeper commitment. Without goals, Laura said plainly, “I don’t know how to get good without having them.”

#5. Do Not Jump to Ironman Without the Process

“You need to start small to get big.”

Laura shared the story of a friend who decided at age 50 to do an Ironman without ever having completed a triathlon. Against the odds, he finished—but she is clear that he is the exception, not the example.

He had unusual durability, few outside obligations, and informal mentorship. Most athletes do not.

For Laura, the real risk is not failing to finish—it is shortening an athlete’s relationship with the sport through injury, burnout, or disillusionment. She strongly encourages progression through shorter distances to learn pacing, fueling, and recovery before attempting Ironman.

Through this progression, an athlete will also learn about themself. “Are you a slow twitch or fast twitch person?” In other words, are you wired for speed or endurance. If the former, the Ironman distance may not be for you.

Longevity, in her view, is the true measure of success.

The Long View

What stands out most about Laura Rossetti is not her podium finishes, but her continuity. She continues to race each year. She still trains with people she met decades ago. And, she cherishes the friendships the sport has created and continues to create.

Triathlon can be a lifelong pursuit, even when you start—or restart—after 50. But only if you respect the process, surround yourself with people, and make decisions that support the long view.

As Laura’s experience shows, how you begin often determines how long you stay.

What Questions Do You Have For Laura?

Leave your questions and comments for Laura in the Comments section below.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.

Editor’s Note

Thank you to Dr. Sarah Gordon for introducing me to Laura Rosetti. You can learn more about Laura’s triathlon journey at The PhD Journey Podcast, Episode 19 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3tvxaadYlU.

Review – Train to Tri: Your First Triathlon

Terry L. VanderWert on September 5, 2025

Train To Tri book cover

Looking to complete your first triathlon? Want to inspire and motivate your children, grandchildren, parents, friends, or co-workers?

If so, Train To Tri: Your First Triathlon by Linda Cleveland and Kris Swarthout is for you.  This 246-page guide provides the essential information needed to prepare for your first triathlon.

Authors: Linda Cleveland and Kris Swarthout, both USA Triathlon Level 2 coaches with lots of experience competing in triathlon and coaching triathletes.

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Who is this book for?

Train To Tri is written primarily for those considering or already committed to completing their first sprint or standard (formerly called Olympic) distance triathlon.

Even though it is aimed at first-timers, it is not just for those doing their first triathlon.  While I have completed over 40 sprint triathlons, I found several useful training tips.  I have already put some of them to use.

What does the book cover?

The book opens with a 24-question Triathlon Readiness Assessment.  Results of the self-assessment help the future triathlete identify with one of three categories – bronze, silver, or gold – and select the training plan included later in the book.  This initial section also provides guidelines for choosing the specific race for your first triathlon.

I like the basic strategy of the first triathlon training plan laid out by the authors – to focus most of the training effort on your weakest leg.

You should focus the most time and effort on [your third strongest sport] to develop strength and endurance as well as improve technique. (page 9)

Gear

Once you decide to do a triathlon, you will quickly learn about the incredible amount of clothing and equipment (called ‘gear’ in the triathlon world) surrounding the sport.  Since not all the gear is necessary for your first triathlon, the authors distinguish between the ‘necessary’ and the ‘nice to have’ or ‘you can wait and decide after your first race’ gear.

Your Triathlon Support Group

Training with a group can provide the extra motivation needed to push through a training program and reap the rewards of completing your first triathlon.  A group can also help you to improve your technique more quickly.

In this chapter, the authors suggest ways to create a support network for your training in swimming, biking, and running that includes various clubs and your family, friends, and co-workers.

You may have various support group options.  For example, if you live in a retirement community, such as The Villages, Florida, you have a built-in support group in The Villages Triathlon Club.  Members train and race together with encouragement galore.

If you are working in an area without a triathlon training club in the area, you can create your own support group through a local fitness center, community pool, bike shop, and running store.  This provides flexibility to follow your specific training plan while enlisting the support of instructors and others with experience from which you can benefit.

 

Swim

The chapter on swimming covers the basic elements of an efficient stroke with illustrations for a proper freestyle technique.  I appreciated the suggestion for traveling and swimming, especially the advice for making use of the typical small hotel pool.

Interestingly, many triathletes find swimming to be their weakest sport.  If you are in that group, get comfortable being in the water and with swimming with other people as you will experience on race day.  Whether swimming in a pool or in open water, you will inevitably come close to, if not in contact with, other swimmers.  Staying calm is the key to finishing the swim.

If the race you choose includes an open water swim, you will want to practice swimming in open water to become familiar with ‘sighting’.   For safety reasons, I recommend adding the ISHOF Safe Swimmer (see also below) to your list of gear.

Bike

Most of us know how to ride a bicycle.  However, many have never ridden in a large group at speeds associated with a triathlon.

Therefore, the focus of this chapter is safety.  According to the authors, safety in biking begins with a review of the various components of the bicycle to make sure that they are each in good working order.   They also describe the most important cycling skills and suggestions on how to hone these, both individually and in group rides.

When riding on the road in traffic, you need to follow the rules of the road as if you were driving a car. (page 78)

Run

We all know how to run. Right?  Well, not necessarily in a way that is the most efficient or that minimizes the possibility for injuries.  About half of this chapter is dedicated to proper cadence (steps per minute) and body form.  The rest of the chapter introduces training with a heart rate monitor and training involving the three-run types included in the weekly training plans.

If you take one thing from this chapter, remember to progress slowly (the ‘10% per week’ rule) to minimize the likelihood of injury.  Unfortunately, we need to be reminded of this every so often.

Strength and Flexibility

Building strength and increasing flexibility are two keys to increasing your performance in triathlon.   For many of us who spend a lot of time sitting during their workday, lack of flexibility can be the major root cause of injury.   The authors show that a relatively small amount of time spent in strength training and stretching can lead to better performance and fewer injuries.  Plus, these are another way to ‘mix it up’ and keep the training interesting and fresh.

Nutrition and Rest

If we all know how to run, most of us are even better at fueling (aka eating).  The challenge is to eat properly.  It becomes even more complicated when we are exercising, burning more calories, trying to build muscle, and recovering from the stress of training.

Triathlon training can be a great way to shed pounds and improve your health.   Eating the right foods in the right amount and at the right time is the focus of this chapter.  The authors are clear: “Although your daily caloric burn will certainly increase based on your training volume, you don’t have a license to hit the buffet for every meal”.

The chapter begins by showing us how to calculate two important numbers related to exercise – resting metabolic rate (RMR) and caloric burn rate.  The authors discuss how to eat (or ‘fuel’ as they define it) throughout the day. This includes eating before, during, and after workouts.  Sample menus for triathlon training days help to illustrate the principles of proper fueling.

The chapter concludes with a discussion about the importance of rest within a process known as periodization.  The authors even provide a simple test to help us determine when our body is telling us to take a day of rest.

If you do not get adequate rest, the muscles will fatigue and eventually fail, resulting in injury. (page 139)

Training plans

It’s now time to put the information from the previous chapters together and begin to train for your first triathlon.   Sample 8-week training plans are provided for bronze-, silver-, and gold-level athletes for both sprint and standard distance triathlons.    I appreciate that the authors show readers how to tailor the plans to meet their particular strengths and weaknesses and their individual schedules.

Preparing to race

I love this section.  Here, the authors take the new triathlete down the ‘home stretch’ to completing their first race.

Filled with practical advice, the authors walk us through the two weeks leading up to the race.  With greater detail for race day, you can feel the thrill that begins upon waking and includes crossing the finish line and heading to the refreshment area for a cold drink and banana.

Related post: How to Choose Your Next Triathlon

Why get this book?

Train To Tri is pragmatic and focused.  It includes essential information for each of the sports of triathlon.  The authors season the information with the nuances of practicing them within a triathlon.

You can trust the USAT-certified coaches with this ‘no-nonsense’ guide.

Let us know what you think of Train To Tri

Share your experience with this book in the Comments below.

Comments: Please note that I review all comments before they are posted. You will be notified by email when your comment is approved. Even if you do not submit a comment, you may subscribe to be notified when a comment is published.

Disclaimer: Please note that SeniorTriathletes.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  This is an affiliate advertising program that provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees.  They do this by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.  As an affiliate, I will receive a small commission for any purchases of this product that you make through Amazon.

This post was originally published on January 21, 2018.  It was updated on September 5, 2025.

Featured in Triathlete Magazine: Our 50-State Triathlon Odyssey

Terry L. VanderWert on August 22, 2025

lead picture for August 22, 2025 article in Triathlete magazine

👉 Read the full article on Triathlete magazine

Joy and I are honored to share that our 12-year adventure to complete a triathlon in every U.S. state has been featured in Triathlete magazine.

The article, “One Couple’s Love of Adventure and a 50-State Triathlon Odyssey,” highlights how a simple idea after my first triathlon in 2011 grew into a journey that took us across the country. Along the way, we discovered new places, built lasting friendships, and deepened our marriage partnership through triathlon and travel.

Themes from Our Adventure Reported in the Article

Some of the storylines you’ll find in the article include:

  • The surprises we found at each race, such as with flat tires or whitewater river kayaking instead of swimming, which broke my own “no firsts on race day” rule.
  • Joy’s role not only as travel planner and cheerleader, but also as a volunteer at many of the races.
  • How the triathlon community became family to us, offering encouragement at every stage of the journey.

👉 Read the full article on Triathlete magazine

Want the Whole Story?

If this story resonates with you and you’d like to learn more of the behind-the-scenes details—about the people we met, the places we explored, and the challenges and triumphs along the way—I’ve written about it in my memoir, Triathlon Adventures Across America: Swimming, Biking, Running, and Making Memories Together.

📖 Learn more about the book here.

Triathlon Adventures Across America by Terry VanderWert

Find Your Next Adventure

A special thanks to Sarah Gordon for her work in writing the Triathlete Magazine article. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our journey with a wider audience. We also hope it inspires you to keep seeking new adventures—whatever stage of life you’re in.

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