Mayor Keller Challenges Albuquerque & New Mexico
To Beat National Senior Games Athlete Record
ALBUQUERQUE– The 2019 National Senior Games, which will be held in Albuquerque June 14 – 25, is on track to beat all previous participation records. The games are open to athletes age 50 and higher that have qualified in the games last year. However, there are three open categories, where any athlete can compete: the 1,500 meter power walk, the 5K power walk, and the triathlon relay team. Registration for this year’s games closes on April 2.
The previous participation records were set at the National Senior Games in Louisville, KY in 2007 and in Orlando, FL in 1999. In those two games, attendance peaked at 12,000 athletes. For the National Senior Games in Albuquerque, there are already 11,836 athletes registered. 165 more athletes will have Albuquerque be the record holder for the most athletes competing ever in the history of the National Senior Games. Of that number, 1,281 athletes are from New Mexico.
“We know Albuquerque is a great place to be an athlete and to live,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Let’s show the rest of the nation just how great we are. Let’s put together a huge team of power walkers and triathletes and blow the top off the national record.”
The 1,500 meter power walk will be held on Saturday, June 15. The 5k power walk will be held on Monday, June 17. The triathlon relay race will be held on Saturday, June 22. Interested athletes age 50 and older must complete their registration by April 2 at NSGA.com.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES
In 1985 in St. Louis, MO, a group of seven men and women formed the original leadership for what was initially known as the National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO). The vision: to promote healthy lifestyles for adults through education, fitness and sport. The NSGA exists today as a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement. The Games, a 20-sport, biennial competition for men and women 50 and over, is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.
NSGA Member Organizations hold annual games with qualifying competitions in the year preceding The Games. Athletes that meet specific criteria while participating in the State Senior Games qualify to participate. To date, the NSGA has held 16 summer national championships.