More than 200 of Arlington’s “seasoned citizens” are among a record 1,200 across the region participating in the 2025 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.
That county’s total of 209 competitors is up 17% from 2024, making Arlington the jurisdiction with the second most participants this year — behind Fairfax County.
“We’re going to catch Fairfax eventually,” promised Jennifer Collins, who heads the county’s Office of 55+ Programs.
The two-week Senior Olympics opened Saturday (Sept. 13) with ceremonies at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. The center has been home to the opening ceremonies for 18 years.
It’s one of seven Arlington venues that will host 11 events as part of the regional competition.
“We are honored” to be a part, said Collins. She was filling in for Department of Parks and Recreation director Jane Rudolph, who had a last-minute conflict, and for County Board members, who were holding a meeting that morning.
This year’s 1,200 participants compare to fewer than 100 when the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics began in 1982. Many of this year’s competitors have also participated in years past, said organization chair Rod Hupp.
“Most of them, once they get in, they’re in until they move away or can’t do it anymore,” Hupp told ARLnow.
Since a fee of just $20 gives participants access to all competitions that they desire, he said this is “the best investment in town” in senior well-being.
In addition to leading the organization, Hupp is a veteran competitor. Last year, he entered 22 events and won 18 medals, including 13 golds.
“I was suffering from combat fatigue at the end, but it was fun,” he said.
Participants this year are 53% male and 47% female, and ages range from 50 to 101. The two centenarians are competing in Wii bowling, canasta and mahjong.
The 2025 competition includes two new events — 50-yard butterfly swimming and Texas Hold ’em poker — plus the return of duplicate bridge, absent for several years.
Janet Garber had the honor of carrying the torch that helped kick off events. She spent 15 years on the organization’s board, her jobs ranging from event coordinator up to chair.
Garber said the best part of the event is seeing “how incredible seniors can be in competition — how they look forward to it, they train for it.”
In a surprise, longtime organization volunteer Herb Levitan was honored as the inaugural inductee into the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. Hupp noted Levitan’s “tireless commitment to the overall success of the program” both as a competitor and in leadership roles.
The Senior Olympics is open each year to residents of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church.
Sponsorships from businesses catering to seniors help fund much of the program. They were up this year, said Judy Massabny, a staff member of Arlington’s Office of 55+ Programs who helps coordinate the program.
Competition will run through Oct. 1, wrapping up that morning at Lubber Run Community Center with the men’s singles pickleball competition. All told, 92 events are slated to take place at 30 locations under the banner “Living Healthy Longer.”
