Golden Triumph: Senior Athlete Dominates National Track & Field Championship in Quebec

Golden Triumph: Senior Athlete Dominates National Track & Field Championship in Quebec

Air Ronge’s Gill Gracie made her mark at the Canada 55+ Games in Quebec City, bringing home three gold medals in a stunning display of athleticism. The Games, held from Aug. 27 to 30, attracted over 2,000 participants competing in 20 different events, but Gracie stood out in track and field, securing top honors in javelin, shot put, and discus.

Competing in senior track and field for over a decade, Gracie has honed her skills despite the challenges of limited local resources in Northern Saskatchewan. Her impressive victories included a gold medal in javelin, where she threw 13.34 meters, shot put with a 7.3-meter throw, and discus with a distance of 18.89 meters. To qualify for the national event, Gracie participated in a provincial competition in North Battleford earlier in June, hosted by the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (SSFA).

“It’s a province-wide thing, it just doesn’t seem to happen up here much,” Gracie explained about the provincial competition. “Every second year, they have a provincial competition, and then every second year, they have a national competition. You go to provincials and, if you do well, you get to go to nationals.”

Saskatchewan performed well overall at the Games, placing fourth in the national standings with a total of 79 points. The province earned 37 gold, 25 silver, and 17 bronze medals. Ontario secured first place, followed by Quebec in second and Alberta in third.

Gracie’s dedication to track and field is all the more impressive considering the difficulties she faces in maintaining a consistent training routine. In Northern Saskatchewan, track and field opportunities for seniors are rare, and Gracie often struggles to find suitable places to practice.

“I’d like to practice a couple of times a month, but this year it was tough with other commitments,” she said. “Wherever I can find an open space where there aren’t a lot of kids around who want to have a go because I’m not taking that liability. And if I go too far out, then there’s bears to worry about, so my training is kind of spotty.”

Without local coaches, Gracie occasionally travels to Saskatoon to receive guidance on technique, ensuring she stays sharp for competitions. Despite these challenges, her love for the sport remains unwavering.

Gracie also used the trip to Quebec as an opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved holiday. It was her first time visiting the historic city in decades, and she took full advantage of the chance to explore, sightseeing and participating in local tours.

As one of the few senior track and field athletes in her region, Gracie encourages other seniors to get involved in the sport. For those interested, more information can be found on the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association’s website.
JMG