The heart of Agustín Ricard, 67, was beating to the rhythm of the emotion while crossing the 5 -kilometer race Percy Sutton Harlem 5K, one of the more than 60 annual events organized by the New York Road Runners Association (NYRR). “I feel very good health, first of all. I really like walking and competing for health. This walk strengthens me and makes me feel very good physically,” he said, reflecting in his words the energy of the day.
A year ago, Agustín joined Striders, the Pursata and Physical Conditioning program for older adults, motivated to take care of his heart and stay active. Since then, he has found much more than an exercise routine: he has discovered a true sense of community. “Every time I walk with the group I feel like family. Participating in a group offers me mental peace. We spend it wonderfully,” he said.
For him, participating in careers such as Harlem 5K is also an opportunity to socialize: “It was a wonderful experience, and I would like to continue participating in these careers. It is important to make friends, especially when one is already age, because that allows us to share more. We also play dominoes, share and dance.”
Striders not only improves physical health, but fights one of the most serious problems among older adults: loneliness. According to a representative survey of the National Poll On Healthy Aging, in 2023 34 % of adults aged 50 to 80 informed to feel isolated sometime, and 37 % felt lack of company, figures that reflect a persistent problem even after pandemic. Programs such as Striders offer a safe and free space to exercise, socialize and strengthen emotional well -being.
German Martínez, vice president of Community Impact of Nyrr, highlights how the program has grown in 15 years: “This initiative began with a small group of less than 100 people walking, and has become a comprehensive program with weekly sessions of functional physical activity and walks, serving thousands of older adults in more than 20 parks, community centers and centers for elderly people in the five seasons”.
Martínez emphasizes that Striders encourages social connection and the feeling of community: “The Striders program encourages social connection and the feeling of community through group activities, in addition to motivating older adults to remain physically active.” The gratuity of the program is key to ensure that older adults of vulnerable communities, including immigrants and low -income people, can participate. “It offers an opportunity to this vulnerable population that, otherwise, would not have the possibility of being active,” says Martínez.
The Percy Sutton Harlem 5K charged special relevance when the 15th anniversary of the Striders program was held. During these years, more than 53,000 older adults have participated in Nyrr health and well -being initiatives in the five counties. For the Latin community, programs such as Striders are fundamental. “The New York Road Runners mission is to bring free programming to unattended communities, and the Latin community definitely benefits from programs such as Striders. In addition, our coaches and employees speak Spanish to help participants overcome the language barrier,” Martínez explains.
Agustín sends an inspiring message to other older adults: “I would tell them to participate to relax the mind, know different cultures and not stay locked in the apartment. Walking is sharing. It makes you feel good and happy.” On the future of the program, he adds: “It excites me and I hope you will continue, to continue promoting participation and meetings, because that helps us unite as a Latin community. Walking towards health is very important.”
To close, his message for the organizers and colleagues is clear: “My message is that we continue, that we do not stop. When we have to continue participating, let’s do it with love and with our hearts up … pa ‘in front.”
Striders demonstrates how a community initiative can transform the lives of older adults, combining health, physical activity and belonging, and showing that it is never too late to leave, walk and connect with others.
More information at https://www.nyr.org/run/striders.
