About the Maine Senior Games

The mission of the Maine Senior Games is to provide athletic events and wellness opportunities to improve the health and fitness of people 45 and over.

For many, the thrill of competing in an athletic event never ends. Thanks to the Maine Senior Games, adults age 45 and older can continue to participate and compete in annual athletic and recreational events. Maine Senior Games is a great opportunity for older adults to have fun and stay fit.

Brief History of the Maine Senior Games

Maine Senior Games has been around since the mid-eighties. For 15 years it was a program of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the SMAA had to narrow their focus regarding the delivery of services under the Older Americans Act and which programs they were going to support. As a result, they eliminated several programs that didn’t fall under their new focus, including the Maine Senior Games.

Since May 2020, we have been working to become a non-profit and we are now a 501 (c) 3 organization. This allows us to apply for grants and sponsorships. Through the generosity of many friends, family, athletes, and volunteers over $10,000 was raised in those first few months. That was a phenomenal start and we continue to solicit sponsorships and funds to keep the Maine Senior Games thriving for all our Senior Athletes. Long live the games! Maine Senior Games had its second best participation numbers in 2022 and will strive to keep that going again this year while considering what new sports or activities we might wish to add for the future.

About Our Athletic Events

Maine Senior Games offers 20 competitive sports to both men and women: road races (1 mile, 5K, 10K), archery, tennis, table tennis, pickleball, swimming, golf, ten pin bowling, candlepin bowling, track and field, cycling, cornhole, buoy toss, power walk (5K and 1 Mile), racquetball (through the New Hampshire Senior Games), hot shot/foul shooting and 3 on 3 men’s and women’s basketball.

Competition is in age groups: 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99+ Our athletes’ range in age from 45-94 but the majority of our athletes are in the 65-75 age range.

Our events take place in different cities and towns throughout Maine.

There are approximately 600-800 athletes and volunteers that participate each year. Even years are qualifying for the National Senior Games and odd years are when the National Games take place.

We have 50-75 volunteers who help us each year get ready for the events, help check folks in while others help keep score, measure or whatever needs doing at an event.

National Senior Games

Over the years many, many athletes have qualified and gone on to the National Senior Games throughout many cities in the United States. Many ribbons and medals have been brought back to Maine. 2019 was the biggest year where 135 athletes competed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The National Senior Games event is held every two years. The next National Senior Games event is scheduled to take place in 2025 in Des Moines, IA.

Board of Directors

Deb Smith, Chair
Ginny Ketch, Vice Chair
Pam Dutremble, Treasurer
Jess LeBlanc, Secretary
Cyndi Bona
Miranda Dolph
Michael Hansen
Suzanne Lacroix
Cindy Scott
Mariellen Sheridan
Noelle St. Hilaire