WELKOM – Age proved to be no barrier to staying active when members of Seniors in Action (SIA) proudly took part in the annual Mediclinic Vista Eskom Athletic Club Road Race on Saturday 22 August.

A group of SIA members participated in the Masters 1.6 km Mile, a category dedicated to participants aged 60 years and older.

Two members also took on the challenge of the 5 km race.

Every SIA participant who started the races, crossed the finish line and was rewarded with a medal for their achievement.

The event, held at Mediclinic Welkom, offered distances of 1.6 km, 5 km, and 10 km, with participants able to walk, jog or run.

The welcoming atmosphere was filled with encouragement, joy and community spirit, making the race accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.

For the SIA members, however, the event was about more than simply completing a race.

It was an opportunity to demonstrate that staying active has no age limit and that seniors can continue to challenge themselves while enjoying the benefits of physical activity.

The group is encouraging more seniors from Welkom and across the Free State to take part in next year’s event.

“You do not need to be an athlete. You can walk. It is good for your health, your heart, and your spirit,” said the group.

The SIA members said they were proud to represent their age group and show that age should never be a reason to stop being active.

They also expressed their appreciation to the organisers and sponsors for making the event possible, including Mediclinic Welkom, Vista, Eskom Athletic Club, Citos, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and Engo.

The group hopes to see even more gogos and grandpas lining up at the starting line next year.

The message from the seniors was clear: age is just a number, and there is always time, and reason, to take the next step.

■ Also see the articles and photographs on p. 19.

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