Local residents cycle to gold in Northern Virginia Senior Olympics

On the second day of competition in the 2012 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, Sun., Sept. 16,  two cycling events were held at the Northern Fauquier Community Park, Marshall. Thirty-two seniors, ages 50-79, competed in the 10K cycling event. Gold medalists included (women), 75-79, Joyce Tobias, Haymarket; and (men)  65-69, David Jerome,  Haymarket and 70-74, Kenneth Weinzapfel, Gainesville.

Gold medalists in the 20K cycling competition were (women)  65-69, Lynn Saunders, Gainesville, 70-74, Susan Lucas, Gainesville, 75-79, Joyce Tobias, Haymarket; and (men)  David Jerome, Haymarket and 70-74, Kenneth Weinzapfel, Gainesville Forty-five seniors competed in the 20K division.

The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics golf competition Sept. 20 will take place at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg. Men and women, age 50 and older, will compete in separate divisions in 10 year age groups. Medals will be awarded for the low gross scores per age group. NVSO golf event director Jim Viggiani, Manassas, was quoted a saying, “NVSO is delighted to be able to offer its golf competitors Lansdowne’s beautiful Greg Norman designed course.”

NVSO with 40 events began Sept. 15 and runs through Sept. 26 at 18 different venues throughout Northern Virginia. Participants must be 50 years of age and live in a sponsoring jurisdiction to compete. On its 30th anniversary, the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics has hit its highest number of participants ever, reports Jack Hobbs, chairman of the NVSO committee.

“We have a 20% increase in overall participation with some events doubling in size,” Hobbs was quoted as saying. “Last year 641 seniors (50+) participated and this year, by the time we count onsite registration, the numbers will easily reach 800,” said Hobbs.

Sponsors are the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William. Westminster at Lake Ridgeis also one of the sponsors. For a daily schedule of events, check the website at http://www.nvso,us or call 703-228-4721.