Age Doesn't Matter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
You Are Never To Old To Run

Since the start of the Run and See Georgia Grand Prix Race Series 20 years ago, runners of all ages have competed in the races.  The Run and See Georgia race series provides runners the chance to run and fun ways to add to their collection of “hardware” or awards for placing in their age group.  The many unique running events each weekend allow runners who place in the top 20 in their age group the chance to also earn points and additional awards at the end of the year.  This offers runners a new way to get to know the competition in their age group as they watch to see if other runners in their age group are ahead of them during the race—which is easiest if the course is  an out and back course! 

Runners from 5 years old to 85 years old participate in the over 450 races per year on the series.  Many early runners use the weekly runs as a measure of their training progress as they compete in their age groups and run for a “PR” or personal record.  But even the old timers, who have been running in the series of races for all of the 20 years that it has been in existence, look forward to moving into a new age group and getting to know other runners in their age group.

Although the runners in the 10 and under age group are just as serious as the older runners, researchers have debated for years how young is too young for runners to compete and is there an age where you are too old to run?  Exercise physiologists say that any age is too young if you don’t have enough years of running behind you.  Building up a base of running gradually over time allows you to build up your VO2 max build up.  This is why as you get older, you may not need to run as much to maintain and be able to compete as we age, according to Valeriu Tomescu, a writer for Running Times.  So it is recommended that younger runners pace themselves and build up their mileage gradually over time.

For the older runners there are many benefits from staying fit and maintaining their running program.  Research shows that running can slow the effects of aging and older runners were able to stay active longer, prohibit age-related illnesses and even early death.  According to Professor James Fries, from the University of California at Stanford, aerobic exercise was one thing that made people healthier as they age, based on a study that was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.  The study also showed that regular exercise reduced disability and death by improving heart health, strengthening bones and reducing inflammation. 

Even the most dedicated runner has thoughts about how long they will be able to run before they are told to hang up their running shoes. Inspirational stories of legendary runners like Fauja Singh who is the current marathon world record holder for runners over the age of 90 with a time of 5:40.  He started running when he was 81.  Hearing examples like Mr. Singh, it inspires runners young and old to keep running.

The baby boomers of today are proving again and again that they are unwilling to get old.  Not too long ago it was unheard of for someone over the age of 40 to run a marathon, but today, we have marathons just for women over the age of 40.  As John Bingham recently wrote for Active.com, “Age is no longer an excuse for inactivity and inactivity is no longer the reward for getting old”. 

So, no more excuses.  There are several great, fun Run and See Georgia races from trail runs to relays, from 1 miles to 15K’s.  Pick a race and run on to your next age group.