More than 165 local and seasonal seniors have taken advantage of the Seniors Walk Free at the Y program since March 18, 2014. The program has been co-sponsored by the Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation’s Awesome Seniors committee and the YMCA.

On average 30 people, age 65 to 98, show up every Tuesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon to walk on the YMCA track. Seniors as young as 62 are encouraged to come, and some older folks bring younger family members as walking companions.

You don’t need to be a member of the YMCA to come walk on the track for this program. In fact, that’s the point. The program has helped many mature year-round residents, seasonal residents, and visitors feel welcomed at the YMCA. Connie Machon, a member of the Awesome Seniors’ committee and avid Y-Walker summed it up best at the Awards Ceremony when she said: “This program has become a social gathering place for many of us. We look forward to seeing one another and catching up twice a week. We notice when a regular doesn’t show up and we find out what’s going on with them.”

When the program first started, Y Executive Director, Andy Hamblett commented: “It’s great to see so many people using this opportunity to exercise and socialize ... building relationships and a support network.” 

Amazing accomplishments

On Wednesday, June 18, the Wellness Foundation held its first awards ceremony for the senior walkers at the Boothbay Fire House. The evening started with a delicious community potluck supper, and then the Awards Ceremony began. Patty Seybold, Foundation President and chairman of the Awesome Seniors Committee, announced the award winners, and Abby Jones, the YMCA’s Healthy Living Coordinator, handed out $25 gift certificates, which were generously co-donated by Robinson’s Wharf and the Wellness Foundation. “This is so inspirational,” Jones said. “These are truly awesome seniors! I’m honored to be part of this important recognition ceremony.”

Keeping track

Each session, the Y-walkers log their laps. The award winners were those who walked the most times in the past 15 months — walking between 54 and 102 days (out of a total of 127 potential walking days — some of which had blizzards). The winners’ ages range from 73 to 88. They averaged between .8 miles per day to 3.5 miles/day. All of the Senior Y-Walkers commented on the benefits to their health that this regular exercise and camaraderie has yielded. Most have had health challenges during the year — cancer, respiratory ailments, gout, and knee and hip surgery — but most everyone has persevered, recovered and returned to walking regularly.

Award winners

Sandra Lowe won the first-place award. Since March 22, Sandra has walked 102 days, with a total of 845 laps, which is close to 106 miles. Second place winner, Connie Machon, walked 89 days, with a total of 2,332 laps, or 292 miles. Third place winner Ira Machon walked 87 days, with a total of 1,287 laps or 161 miles. Royall Dodge walked 81 days, with a total of 534 laps or 67 miles. Eleanor Dodge walked 78 days, with a total of 494 laps or 62 miles. Sandy Terry won sixth place. She walked 76 days, with a total of 747 laps or 93 miles. Next came Harriet Cowdery, who walked 69 days, with a total of 451 laps or 56 miles. Our eighth place award winner was Lynnette Page, who walked 67 days, for a total of 489 laps or 61 miles. Honorable mentions went to: Marilyn Goode, Mary Matthews and Marie Oates, each of whom walked more than 50 days out of the potential 127.

It has been heartwarming to see new relationships kindled and old ones revived over the course of our first 15 months. Harriet Cowdery commented that she has made new friends — not just the other Y Walkers, but the others who show up and use the field house regularly, including the tennis players and pickleball players.

The message from our local seniors is clear! Get off your duffs and join us — it’s the best healthy fun you will ever have! Come walk at the Y between 10 a.m. and noon every Tuesday and Thursday. You’ll be glad you did!