Director Amy Bradshaw and her board did everything right to prepare for the 2020 Mesquite Senior Games. They were ready to run the biggest, best games ever. But they hadn’t counted on the biggest, baddest opponent of all: covid-19. Only a few days into their extensive schedule of senior athletic competitions, the Games were shut down.
The Mesquite Senior Games have become a mainstay of the town. In their nineteen years of existence, the Games have grown to attract thousands of yearly participants, with 80 per cent of the athletes living outside Mesquite. From bocce ball to bridge, there is an event for just about everybody, and the game schedule has expanded to offer events almost year around.
The Games offer an opportunity to everybody over 50 to be more than just a spectator on the sidelines. Participants are part of a team, members of a community endeavor, a community happening. Everybody who enters the Games get a team shirt and pin. Those who cross the finish line first or score the most points get a certificate or a medal, but everybody gains a huge sense of accomplishment.
Cancellation of the 2020 spring schedule of games was a crushing blow to everyone, but also a financial blow to the organization that stood ready to welcome registrants with T shirt and hats- thousands of them. Refunds were issued to those who requested. Amy and the MSG board waited, with a storage bin full of T Shirts and event supplies, for covid-19 to subside.
Now, tired of inactivity, the board can’t just wait for an “all clear” signal to restart the games. Starting this week, Mesquite Senior Games goes live with “Back Together!” virtual games.
“Back Together!” offers registrants three categories of activities that are individually performed and tracked: Walking, Running, and Biking. Any or all of these activities can be completed wherever the registrant desires in the next 30 days. Thus, the MSG board hopes that many of those local or out of town athletes who are unable to compete in their chosen specialty will now use their physical training regime to participate “virtually.” Each registrant tracks miles and reports totals to MSG. Various mileage levels earn achievement certificates. Seniors can enroll children and grandchildren to join in the personal competition.
Enrollment for “Back Together!” can be done online at, www.mesquiteseniorgames.org. Click on the web address here and you will be taken to the enrollment form. Registration is $25 for individuals, $40 for two, $45 for two adults and one child, $50 for two adults and two or more children, which provides entrants a T shirt (no child sizes), commemorative pin, racing bib, special edition medal, and certificate. The Mesquite Recreation Center will receive $5 from each enrollment.
Individuals set their own goals, track their own activity for the next 30 days, and report back to MSG, with photos and videos welcomed! Everyone is encouraged to be creative: Set up a mini-competition with friends or family. Pick an unusual location for a hike or run. Do a bike ride in a state or national park or other favorite trails . Try out Mesquite’s new trails downtown.
Amy shares, “This is a “work in progress.” She is excited to see how many people will sign up for the various levels of each sport. MSG president, John Rosen, is the IT guy for the group, so he will tabulate numbers received, and report the success of these interim virtual games.
Make no mistake, Mesquite Senior Games will return. The board is awaiting suitable time slots when they can bring back team sports and person to person competition. “It’s all so indefinite,” says men’s softball tournament manager, Sandy Tudor. In the meantime, MSG board members are rekindling athletic enthusiasm with this set of virtual competitions. They are ingenious, flexible, and most of all, passionate to get “Back Together!”
More information can be found on the MSG website, or call 702-345-3347. Sign up today and get back together!
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