Sports
Ohio Athlete, 66, Competes In Track & Field At National Senior Games
The Richmond Heights resident is honored as a Humana Game Changer for inspiring others with her passion for staying active.
The National Senior Games, presented by Humana, is the largest multi-sport event in the world for people aged 50+. Ever since the first Games in 1987 in St. Louis, the National Senior Games has sought to motivate adults to lead active, healthy lifestyles.
The 2023 National Senior Games, held in Pittsburgh, included nearly 12,000 athletes from across the country competing in 21 unique sports.
Since 2013, Humana has recognized outstanding athletes – those who exemplify active aging and provide encouragement, motivation, and inspiration for people of all ages to pursue lifelong health – as Humana Game Changers.
Today, Patch is shining a spotlight on Cynthia Beacham, 66, from Richmond Heights, Ohio who competed in track and field at the National Senior Games. Not only does she love competing in track and field, but she is also passionate about inspiring and motivating others to be active no matter their age.
Below, Cynthia Beacham talks about competing in the 2023 National Senior Games and shares advice for other seniors looking to stay active.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
How long have you been participating in this sport and how did you get started?
I have been playing sports since I was 13 years old. When I was younger, I used to watch my older siblings race other young people in the housing development where we grew up. I wished I could run fast like my sisters who graduated from high school, got married and moved out. I began to ask my mother for permission to go to the local recreation center (Portland-Outhwaite Recreation Center now named The Lonnie Burten Recreation Center) to join track and field clubs, tennis leagues, softball, basketball or whatever sports were being played at that time. I wanted to join any team that didn’t cost money because my family didn’t have the finances to travel or purchase equipment. At the age of 17, I was asked by a highly respected track official, “If there was a state track meet for females would you want to participate in the 400-yard dash or in the softball throw?” I said, “Absolutely and emphatically yes!” and the rest is history.
Can you describe any challenges, health or otherwise, that you had to overcome in order to compete in the National Senior Games?
In order to compete in the National Senior Games, I had to mentally keep myself from staying in the house and overeating. During the pandemic, the fact that I never liked to stay indoors was reinforced. I always felt there was a sport that needed me. Whether it was officiating indoor track meets and getting COVID tested twice a day for the BIG 10 Conference meet or the Big East outdoor meet, I did whatever I could to stay active and out of the house, but all the time at home greatly affected my mental health. The pandemic caused me to feel like a prisoner in my own home. So, I would mask up and go to the grocery store and purchase ingredients to cook complete spaghetti dinners with desserts; this was how I kept myself mentally stable. I would cook the spaghetti dinners and deliver them to elderly and other members of my church. I would sprint up someone’s driveway, leave the food on their porch, ring the doorbell and sprint back to my car to avoid contact. As a physical education teacher for 36 years, I always advised my students to keep the triangle of physical, mental and social health balanced and if it became unbalanced to use coping skills I taught them in my health classes or seek help.
Another challenge I had to overcome was financial. The money I earned officiating was used to either buy groceries to support those in need during the pandemic or support my family and relatives. Last year and this year, I vowed to officiate as many national, college and high school sporting events and track meets as I could to fund my competition at the National Senior Games.
You were one of 28 athletes selected from the thousands competing at the 2023 National Senior Games for the national honor of being named a Humana Game Changer. Can you tell us more about this honor and what it means to you?
I am very humbled and grateful to be one of the 28 individuals selected at the 2023 National Senior Games for the national honor of being named a Humana Game Changer. I would like to say that this honor means so much to me. The Game Changer recognition exemplifies the reason for all my seasons: to live a healthier lifestyle and embrace physical movement and activity for optimal health. I keep on moving while I can move, keep on grooving while I can groove, and as a Humana Game Changer, keep inspiring others to move while they can. This award inspires and will remind me to be active forever as long as forever is.
It is crucial to live a healthy and active lifestyle. I am always on the move and wholeheartedly believe sitting in a place for extended periods of time can cause or exacerbate certain health issues.
I have always prayed for a life full of activities that would give God all the glory, honor and praise.
Why is living a healthy, active lifestyle important to you?
The most important reason for living a healthy, active lifestyle is because it equates to a healthy life and good physical reports. Consuming a proper diet and exercising could increase an individual’s longevity. When I retired from teaching after 36 years, I was determined not to sit at home being idle, living a sedentary life, and doing meaningless things. Not moving my feet was not my idea of retirement. So, I felt inspired to train and became a member of “The Over The Hill Track Club” out of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Berniece Holland (USA Olympian) inspired and trained me for all throwing events (hammer throw, javelin, shotput, and discus). When “Ma Holland” passed in 2019, my daughters – both of whom placed in state track and field – and my husband – who placed in state wrestling – became my new coaches. Living a healthy and active lifestyle has afforded me a place in the National Senior Games.
What advice do you have for people wanting to be more active who feel like they don’t know where to start?
My advice to people who want to be more active but are uncertain of a starting point is to take small steps. I would stress to them that it is never too late to start moving and become active. I would also recommend participating in the National Senior Games. There are a host of activities, and I am sure that one of the events would be of interest. I would also tell them to join a local YMCA, health club, local walking group, or go to the local senior center to find out what activities are available. My final advice to someone who wants to be more active is to sit in a chair and exercise to keep the blood circulating throughout the day. If a person would like to become active, I would also encourage them to officiate sports.
Please tell us about your experience competing in the 2023 National Senior Games. What was the best part?
The Senior Games were AWESOME!! I am almost at a loss for words. The experience was incredible: I had the opportunity to meet, greet, compete and enjoy fellowship with the best senior athletes in the world. I love competing with athletes my age and look forward to seeing the same people every two years at the Games. It has been great to compete with others who have just as much fun as I do, and this year being recognized as a Humana Game Changer was an added bonus and such an honor!!
Congratulations, Cynthia, on your athletic achievements and helping motivate other seniors to lead healthy active lifestyles!
More about Humana: Since 2007, Humana has sponsored the National Senior Games and celebrated senior athletes with the NSGA. Specifically, Humana supports the National Senior Games’ mission to keep active adults healthy through education, fitness and sport.