They’re strong, fast, energetic — and over age 50. The rules of the game have changed: sports competitions aren’t exclusive to young people. If you want to compete, all you need is grit and determination. Ron Chilton is a Kentucky Senior Games competitor who proves that you can break records at any age.
King of Decathlons
Ron Chilton
Retired radio broadcaster, WAKY
Age 83
Ron Chilton hates idleness but loves an athletic challenge. For 21 years, he has been competing in multiple track and field sports as part of the Kentucky Senior Games, but his level of endurance is incredible. He participates in the shot put, discus, the 50, 100, 200, and 400 meter races; long jump; hammer throw; and 1,500 meter race walk. He won 10 gold medals in the Kentucky Senior Games last year, but has 550 medals in total. “I decided when I retired that I didn’t want to sit on the porch and rust away. I didn’t want to collect stamps or do something mundane,” he says.
Ron has no intentions of slowing down and plans to compete in the National Senior Games this year. “Getting old is not a matter of atrophy of your muscles or getting a disease. It is a lack of exercise. I’ve met so many people in my age category who say they don’t do anything but sit on the couch and watch television or play with their phone, and I think that is deplorable,” he says.
Extra tidbit: The one thing that fuels this athlete's motivation.
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