The “Seniors Walk Free at the Y” program has just celebrated its second anniversary. Connie and Ira Machon have been the leaders and role models for this program, which was initiated by the Awesome Seniors Committee of the Wellness Foundation, in partnership with the Boothbay Region YMCA. The program was kicked off on March 18, 2014 and just completed two years with a luncheon hosted by the YMCA on March 18.

Over the past two years, 207 people ranging in age from 61 to 98 years old have participated in this program, which welcomes local seniors to walk at the YMCA track every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. (No Y membership is required for this “free for all seniors” program).
The average age of those currently walking is 74. Note that some people use walkers, others use the railing, some have even carried oxygen tanks. Some walk 1 or 2 laps; others have worked up to 16 or 32 laps. Everyone walks at his or her own pace. Fruit and water are provided through the generosity of the walkers themselves (who often drop a few coins or bills in a jar).

When you come to the Y for this program, you sign in at the front desk, and proceed to the track, where Connie and Ira Machon (and the other regulars) greet each person warmly, make them feel comfortable, show them how to log their laps each time, and cheer them on.

By the way, Connie and Ira have walked at the Y 150 days over the last two years, and the couple has walked a combined total of 791 miles! Connie has increased the number of laps she’s walked by more than 15 percent from the first to the second year, and Ira has increased his laps by 10 percent. They are wonderful role models.

Here are some other pretty impressive statistics for the seniors who have been participating in this program:

• Each year, approximately 144 people have walked regularly. Eighty-one of them have walked for both years.
• For those who have been participating in this program for two years, the number of laps they have walked has increased an average of 17 percent from year 1 to year 2. One hundred and forty-four people walked the first year, averaging 16.5 miles per person for the year. One hundred and forty-three people walked the second year, averaging 19 miles per person for the year.
• Each Tuesday or Thursday, there are about 20 people who walk each time (along with the Y members who may be walking, jogging or running).
• The first year, the Y-Walkers walked a total 2,374 miles
• The second year, the same number of people walked a combined total of 2,714 miles.
• The average number of laps per person per walking session over the two years is 10 1/2 laps or 1.3 miles.
• When the program began in March 2014, the average distance walked per person per session was 0.8 miles. Today, the average is 1.8 miles.

We believe that this program has dramatically increased the activity level of local seniors. We encourage others to join in!