Who says competitive sports are for the young?  Over 10,000 athletes, ages 50 plus are out to prove that idea is wrong as they compete in the 2009 National Senior Games presented by Humana, August 1 – 15.

The event which takes place every two years and for the first time in California, is held in part to inspire healthy living through athletic competition and an active lifestyle.  The athletes will compete in 18 medal sports and six demonstration sports.  Centered on the campus of Stanford University, with additional venues in Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose and San Mateo County, the evbent will generate $35 million economic impact with 30,000 total visitors over the two-week period.

The Games kick off with a torch relay featuring an innovative solar powered, non-fossil fuel burning, rechargeable battery powered LED “lit” Torch that pulses in step with the runners to create a unique visual display.

The Torch Relay will start at Fort Point in San Francisco at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, run along the Bay via Marina Green to Pier 39, where it will board a sailboat for a short cruise to McCovey Cove and a stop at Home Plate in AT&T Park before hopping on Caltrain for a ride to Palo Alto. After a run through Stanford and Palo Alto, the Torch will arrive at City Hall for the Flame Arrival Ceremony presented by AstraZeneca. The Cauldron will be lit at 8:45 p.m.

Runners include Olympian and Triple Jump champion Willie Banks, world record holder and Olympian swimmer John Naber, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Stanford and WNBA basketball star Jennifer Azzi, and the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Palo Alto, as well as six Senior Games athletes.

For more information, log on to Senior Games 2009.