BOOMER is more than games

For the fourth year, Columbus County has been ranked as the least healthy of the 100 counties in North Carolina, and many people wonder what they can do to improve this.

There is no single answer, but by far 

the most common tip for better health is to be more active, and that is what organizers of the Columbus BOOMER Games are hoping to create: opportunities for seniors to be more active.

Deadline for registration is April 12. 

Though the games are competitions, people over age 55 are encouraged to participate just for the fun of it and for the chance to enjoy amateur sports.

Promoting physical activity, the games reach far beyond sports, and include corn hole, horseshoes and even spincasting, which involves dropping a fishing line into a target.

The Games also include the arts, with competitions for painting, sculpting, writing and much more. Even the sports competitions are designed for everyone to enjoy. The football and basketball toss events are easy and fun. 

Events that may spur even a hint of competition may be golf, cycling, bowling and a 5K run, which will all be held before the big day on April 24.

Medals will be awarded in five-year age brackets, from age 55 to 100-plus, and by sex, so everyone will have a good chance to take home some gold, or silver, or bronze.

Organizers hope to join the ranks of the other 99 counties who compete in the N.C. Senior Games each year, and if participation merits it, Columbus could be a part of the three-decade-old organization in 2014.

More information can be found at Columbusco.org.