As is the case with so many area activities, the Yadkin Valley Senior Games fell victim in 2020 to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the games are back, with registration for the 2021 version of the competition open through April 16. The games are set to take place during May and June.
The games offer seniors in the Yadkin Valley region to compete in a number of athletic events, with those winning events often eligible to move on to statewide games against athletes who have won similar games in other districts throughout North Carolina.
Competitors are generally divided into age groups, which may vary a bit from event to event. Generally, according to the North Carolina Senior Games, those age categories are broken down as 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, and those 100 years of age and older.
Locally, some of the events include bowling, a 5K cycling race, a 5K road race, swimming evens of various distances, track and field competitios in the 50-meter, 100-meter dashes, the 1500-meter run, long jumps, shot put and discus throw as well as other events, badmintion, table tennis, tennis, pickleball, disc golf, and a host of other games.
There is also an opportunity for artists to show off their skills in a number of different categories in the Silverarts competition. Categories there include basketweaving, crocheting, jewelry, knitting, short story and poem writing, various forms of performing and visual arts, and more.
“Surry County Parks and Recreation looks forward to offering citizens’ favorite sports and arts activities with the necessary modifications to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” officials with the parks department said in announcing registration was open.
It was not immediatey clear what those COVID-19 modifications would be, and additional information was not immediately available from the staff or county website.
Registration, along with a complete list of events offered in Surry County, is available online at https://www.ncseniorgames.org/ or at the Surry County website at https://www.co.surry.nc.us/departments/(k_through_z)/park_and_recreation/index.php. The parks and recreation page on the county site also includes instructions on how to register both online and by paper, as well as a list of events and specific dates of competition.
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com