Running at age 70 and beyond, and Henry Holt Profile
The benefits of running into your 70s and beyond are well researched. In a
Runner’s World February 13, 2008 article, Running Your Best In Your 70s and Beyond,
it is stated that ”Researchers have concluded that regular physical
activity decreases risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all other
age-related causes of death by 25 percent and increases life expectancy
by up to two years.”
In an article published by
The Atlantic on April 22, 2015; Running into Old Age,
they state; “Research has shown that exercise can help maintain
physical fitness that may otherwise be lost over time. A lot of
the deterioration we see with aging can be attributed to a more
sedentary lifestyle instead of aging itself”. The Atlantic quotes a
2014
review article
on aging and exercise, published in the Journal of the American Academy
of Orthopedic Surgeons, which concludes. “The prevalence of age-related
chronic diseases and physical dysfunction is substantially reduced or
even absent in older adults who continue to train and compete in
athletic competitions”.
Races everywhere are increasing their
participation level in all the older age groups. At the 2017
Governor’s Cup Road Race we had 16 finishers over the age of 70.
One finisher was over 80, Henry Holt age 81. Another two finishers
are age 79 and will be in the 80 plus division within a year. In
this article, we will profile Henry Holt; but will do some follow up
articles that will highlight Jesse Smarr and other local runners over
70.
