Senior Olympics registration starts next week

A swimming event in the 2016 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. [Ron Staley Photography/NVSO]

Registration for the 2017 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics begins July 10.

The 35th season of the NVSO takes place Sept. 9-20 at venues throughout the region. Events range from athletic competitions, such as swimming, running, and basketball; to recreational pursuits, like horseshoes, corn hole, and pool; to non-athletic games like scrabble, suduko, and spelling. All in all, there are nearly 70 separate events.

Participants must turn 50 years old by Dec. 31, 2017.

When the competition started, in 1982, just 80 athletes participated. More than 900 Northern Virginians took part last year.

The NVSO is a joint project of the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William. Competitors must live in one of those jurisdictions.

Events take place throughout the region. Several events are in the Annandale/Mason District area, including handball and racquetball at the Audrey Moore RECenter; field events at Falls Church High School; dominoes at Goodwin House in Bailey’s Crossroads; bowling at Bowl America Shirley; cribbage and pool at the Lincolnia Senior Center; and tennis, softball throw, and other sports at Wakefield Park.

Register online or pick up a printed registration form at a county recreation center or senior center. The deadline is Sept. 2; paper registrations must be postmarked by Aug. 26.

The basic registration fee is $13; plus $1 dollar for each event. Some events have additional fees, such as cycling ($5), orienteering ($5), and golf ($65).

If you’re interested in volunteering at the NVSO, call 703-403-5360 or send an email to [email protected].

The NVSO also seeks corporate and individual donors and patrons. Those interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2017 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics should contact NVSO chair Jim Mackenzie, 703-830-5604, [email protected].