Events in the 2025 Wake County Senior Games start April 1! Regional events will take place across the state over the next few months, culminating in the North Carolina Senior Games this fall, featuring many events in Raleigh.
The Senior Games encourage healthy activity — physical and mental — for those ages 50 and up.
“Spectators are encouraged (and really get the participants excited!),” says Allie Crawford with the Wake County division of the Senior Games. Attendance is free! Check out the full schedule of Wake County Senior Games events on wcseniorgames.com. No reservations or tickets are needed. Just drop in to show your support!
We caught up with North Carolina Senior Games President and Executive Director Brad Allen to talk about the spirit of the statewide competitions, their impact on the community, and how to get involved.
Introduce yourself!
I’m Brad Allen, President and Executive Director of North Carolina Senior Games, Inc., a statewide nonprofit based in Raleigh.
What exactly are the Senior Games?
Senior Games is a health and wellness program for persons 50 and better that provides athletic and SilverArts activities through 54 Local Senior Games and State Finals. North Carolina has the largest year-round senior Olympic-style program in the United States.
Tell us a bit about the competitors. What are the common age ranges, and do most participants have a background in lifelong competitive sports?
Participation begins at age 50 and there are participants who are age 90 and better and even 100+. 65-69 and 70-74 are common age categories, but there are many individuals of various ages. Senior Games events categorize participants in 5-year increments, so 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and so on.
And while there are former college athletes and others that have competed at high levels, there is something for everyone in Senior Games. The whole point is to keep or get our older population active, healthy and engaged.
In addition to athletic competitions, the Games have a SilverArts component. Tell us more about the arts events!
SilverArts events incorporate performing, literary, heritage, and visual arts competitions.
SilverArts is a program that highlights the wellness and health aspects of engagement in artistic endeavors. Through the Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Heritage Arts and Visual Arts – SilverArts aims to afford an opportunity for seniors to express their artistic talents in new or expanded ways. So whether a person is dancing, singing, painting, quilting, or crocheting, SilverArts provides a wonderful way to remain active also!
Is there anything new with the Games this year?
In the past couple of years, Senior Games has added Disc Golf. Pickleball continues to expand and will be held at a beautiful new facility in Wilson for State Finals. There is also a fantastic new facility in Clayton that will serve as host for State Finals Bocce, Cornhole, and Shuffleboard.
Can people attend the competitions as spectators?
Absolutely. Spectators are encouraged to be a positive part of the Senior Games experience. The full schedule of State Finals events will be posted when available in the fall.
How can people support the Senior Games?
North Carolina Senior Games, Inc is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, so individuals can support the organization as volunteers and as individual contributors. Interested individuals can visit ncseniorgames.org and check out the “Get Involved” button portion of the website.
What is the State Finals Big Week?
“Big Week” is the exciting period of September 15-21 when events are taking place across the Triangle. From Bowling to Track and Field and the Swim Meet, plus the SilverArts and tons of other events, it’s an exciting week when qualifiers from the 54 Local Games across the State of North Carolina gather for this annual “Celebration of the Human Spirit.”
Why are the Senior Games important?
North Carolina’s population is one of the fastest-growing relative to aging. We are aging in place here, and folks love to retire to North Carolina. Here is why Senior Games are important to our aging population:
· Evidence-based research shows that 87% of participants indicated NCSG was part of their regular weekly activities.
· 79% of respondents said they were more physically active as a result of Senior Games.
· In addition, 88% indicated they were more socially active because of NCSG.
· In preparing for State Finals, individuals estimated they spent, on average, more than 6.6 hours per week on physical activity. That includes person ages 50-88!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Visit the NC Senior Games website, ncseniorgames.org, for more information. You can change your perception of “aging” by getting involved with Senior Games.
For information on the Wake County Senior Games, including volunteer opportunities, visit wcseniorgames.com or follow the Wake County Senior Games Facebook page.
