Registration opens for Gulf Coast Senior Games

Senior citizens in Manatee and Sarasota counties soon will have a chance to show off their athleticism during the 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games.

The series of athletic competitions held in Manatee and Sarasota counties in February each year draws more than 400 athletes ages 50 and up to compete in events such as archery, basketball, bocce, bowling, cribbage, cycling and more.

“We’ll get athletes of all skill levels from the Villages, Fort Myers, all over the state,” said Scott Jalwan, Manatee Parks and Recreation supervisor and director of the Senior Games. “People love this event because it gets them to compete and show off their athletic skills.”

Registration costs $12 and includes an event T-shirt. There is a $3 fee for each event in which the athlete participates. The top five finishers in each event will advance to the state competition.

Interested individuals in Manatee County can register at www.mymanatee.org/parks and clicking on the Register Now icon. Individuals in Sarasota can register at www.parksonline.scgov.net.

Registration is due by Feb. 1. The Senior Games will run Feb. 21-26.

For more information, call Jalwan at 941-742-5932, ext. 6023 or visit www.mymanatee.org.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].