By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

For several local senior citizens, competing in the 18th annual Granite State Senior Games helps to improve their quality of life.

The athletes in this year's games didn't necessarily participate to win medals. Instead, they just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere and stay in shape.

Charlie Houser, the Granite State Senior Games event coordinator and state chairman of the board (left), helps George Tosatti light the ceremonial flame at the Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance building in Manchester on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The GSSG ceremony signaled the start of the 18th annual week-long event, where senior citizens from throughout the state showcase their athletic skills in a number of activities. (Marc Thaler Photo)

"You enjoy everything better if you feel better," said Goffstown's Margaret Dolbow, who competed in the 60- to 64-year-old bracket of the 5K road race on Saturday, Aug. 6. "It's even good for your head. Everything is circulating. You have a better chance to stay on top of your world. It keeps you younger."

Dolbow said physical exercise helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. She added it's important to remain fit to keep up with her 2-year-old grandson.

The local athlete began running in her 40s when she was invited to join a friend hoping to lose weight. Dolbow, too, lost some weight. But the biggest reward was finishing well ahead of the last-place runner at various races.

Bedford's Dick Kuhl, who competed in the 65- to 69- year-old men's bracket, also improved his race performances.

Kuhl said he wasn't the fastest runner as a child and started walking about 20 years ago to lose weight.

His first marathon was the New York Marathon in 1989, which he completed in less than five hours. Kuhl has also participated in marathons in London, Paris, Tuscon and Los Angeles.

Just this year, Kuhl completed the Boston Marathon in less than six hours.

Both Dolbow and Kuhl said running also provided great mental benefits, too.

"If you don't go out for a few days, you feel antsy and want to get out and do something," Kuhl said. "You go out and run and come back feeling better than when you went out."

Pembroke's Bill Edmonds, 80, noticed the rewards of playing tennis four times a week were purely positive.

In 1999, Edmonds underwent four heart bypasses. But just two months later, he was swinging a tennis racket. In 2003, he had a knee-replacement operation, followed by the same procedure on his other knee one year later.

Again, it took just three weeks before he returned to the court.

Concord's Maurice Dupuis competed in the 75- to 79-year old bracket of mixed doubles tennis. He said playing tennis makes him feel younger.

Dupuis began playing tennis in his 20s, opting for a racquet over a baseball bat when hardball was the popular sport of his day.

A tennis player for 55 years, Dupuis said he achieved New England's No. 1 ranking in the 75-and-over field from the United States Tennis Association last year.

"Competitiveness is an attitude," Dupuis said. "To compete with others is a thrill."

Competition in the games required plenty of training - something these athletes would do even if the GSSG didn't take place. For each athlete, training consisted of simply participating in his or her sport of choice.

"I didn't actually prepare because I play (tennis) so often," Edmonds said. "I play almost every morning at Memorial Field (in Concord)."

At many events, the athletes socialized with each other before various competitions, fostering a friendly atmosphere that can be hard to find.

Each event was divided into age brackets, with ranges of four years, beginning at age 50. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for each event in each age bracket.