May 14, 2009

Carbondale Senior Games set for June 4-6

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Calling all senior athletes. The Carbondale Senior Games is coming with an assortment of recreational athletic competitions open to anyone age 50 or older, no matter where they are from.

Hosted by the Carbondale Park District and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Recreation Center, the Carbondale Senior Games run June 4-6 at a variety of locations in the city. The competition kicks off at 6 p.m. on June 4 and resumes at 3 p.m. June 5 and 8 a.m. June 6.

Seniors can test their skills in assorted events including golf, disc golf, soccer, swimming, archery, basketball, billiards, bowling, bridge and track and field events. While promoting fitness for mature adults, the games promise to be a lot of fun, organizers say. Participants can enter as many events as they’d like as time permits, since some competitions overlap.

Senior Games contestants will compete within nine designated age divisions for each sex. Top three finishers in each division will receive medals immediately following each contest.

The SIUC Student Recreation Center is the site for many of the games. Other campus locations, along with Parrish Park, the Superblock and Hickory Ridge Golf Course, are host sites. The games wrap up at 6 p.m. June 6 with a social and celebration at the golf course featuring dinner, music, and a tribute to the athletes.

A $20 general registration fee covers participation in any of the events, time permitting, except golf, bowling and bridge. Golf carries a $15 facility fee, including cart, while bowling has a $5 facility fee for each event, including shoes. There’s a $16 facility fee for bridge as well.

The deadline for registration is May 22. Additional information about the Carbondale Senior Games is online at www.cpkd.org. You’ll also find the entry form on that Web site. Send completed forms to the Carbondale Park District at 2500 W. Sunset Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, or fax them to 618/529-1873. For more details, call 618/549-4222 or e-mail info@cpkd.org.