Community Corner
Local Septuagenarian Competes In 10 Athletic Events This Weekend
Seventy-four-year-old Pat Britt, of West County, will participate in a variety of competitions at this year's St. Louis Senior Olympics.
When you hear about someone who runs 28 miles weekly, plays golf, lifts weights and rides a stationary bike for three hours straight, you probably think that someone is a professional football player who is training during the off season. In this case, however, that athlete is 74-year-old Pat Britt.
Britt will be competing this weekend in the St. Louis Senior Olympics. A self-described fierce competitor, he is entered in the following events: 5,000 meter (5K), 1500 meter and 800 meter runs, hardball and softball home run contests, 18-hole golf tournament, bocce ball, football and softball accuracy throws and soccer kick.
“I’ve competed in the cycling events in the past, but this year they conflict with other events,” Britt said. “I have participated in all of the cycling events: ¼ mile, one mile, 5K and 5-mile races.”
Britt began his athletic career in grade school when he played football, softball and basketball. In high school, he competed in track and baseball. Britt also played in the St. Louis Catholic Youth Council’s basketball and baseball leagues.
In addition to Senior Olympics and golf (he plays with the Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf Association), Britt has competed in 38 marathons, including two ultramarathons. “At the St. Louis marathon in April 2007, I won first place in the 70 to 74 age group and qualified to run in the Boston Marathon. That was the sixth time I had qualified for Boston.”
Britt also won his age group in the St. Louis half-marathon in 2008 and 2009. And in spite of having major spinal surgery in January 2010, he was back on the golf course by the summer of that year and running again by the end of 2010. This April, he ran the half-marathon in St. Louis.
“I enjoy competition and have made some good friendships,” Britt said. “A couple of runners I met through Senior Olympics are in a running group with me.”
Britt competes in other events through the St. Louis Track Club and GO! St. Louis.
When he’s not competing or in training, he’s volunteering every week. “I volunteer at Shriners Hospital for Children, the Ronald McDonald houses, Our Little Haven and The Dream Factory.”
Britt is not slowing down any time soon.
“The worst thing you can do is become a couch potato and not do anything,” he said. “Then you will go downhill health-wise. There are guys participating in Senior Olympics who are in their 90s. My goal is to be the first guy to walk, run, crawl or whatever I have to do, to cross a finish line in a marathon at 100 yrs old.”