Senior pals share their winning ways together

Hennie VAN GERWEN and John Wichers are inseparable. Although not related, the two Dutch immigrants are like brothers and do almost everything together, including running and winning medals together.Wichers, who is soon to turn 72, and Van Gerwen, the kid at 69, are geared up for the Manitoba 55-Plus Games that begin Tuesday and end Thursday at St. Laurent, Oak Point and Lundar.

The Games, which have been ongoing since 1983, are the only annual multi-sport event for all seniors in Manitoba, and are one of the largest annual multi-sport events to take place in the province.

Aside from track, the Games include swimming, three-kilometre predicted walk, five-pin bowling, nine- and 18-hole golf, carpet bowling, floor curling, floor shuffleboard, horseshoes and slow-pitch, as well as other less athletic activities.

One of the nearly 1,500 participants at this year's event, Wichers will compete in the 400-, 800-, 1,400- and 3,000-metre track events, while Van Gerwen is poised to compete in the 100, 200 and 400 metres, as well as nine-hole golf.

But first, Wichers plans to tune up by running the Manitoba Half Marathon on Sunday. "I decided not to do the full one this year," he said, "because two days later we have to start the Games. Maybe it's not wise (to run the half so soon before the Games), but I've done it so many times I guess it doesn't matter to me. I have done 25 full marathons, almost 60 half and numerous other races."

Van Gerwen will also be involved on Sunday, but he isn't running. "I am coaching a young relay team from Marquette, where I live," he said, "and they are going to do pretty good, I think."

At last year's National Senior Games in Moncton, Van Gerwen won two silver and two bronze medals. Wichers picked up one silver, two bronze and two fourth-place finishes.

Van Gerwen says the two met 50 years ago in Winnipeg. "I met John because he was living in the house where we moved in, when my whole family came over, exactly 50 years ago now."

"I think I started running 25 years ago," said Wichers, "and Hennie started maybe a year later, but he ran a full marathon before I did.

"I don't think we would have thought 25 years ago that we'd still be running in Games like these. But having said that, we've always been active, and we're in pretty good shape. It is a good thing to be doing this at our age."

The Road Kill Running Club members are among the few seasoned runners at the Games, and have some advice for seniors who are only beginning to take up any kind of athletic endeavour. "First of all I would urge them to keep doing what they are doing, and increase it a little bit at a time, because in many ways, if you don't use it you'll lose it," said Wichers. "So whatever you do -- and running isn't for everyone -- if you can walk, walk, if you can't walk, do whatever else you can, but stay active."

"The first thing is start off slow," added Van Gerwen. "Both John and I started in our 50s, and we started off slow, entering five- kilometre races, but we took it easy.

"Take it easy when you first start, and don't think you're going to be a champion right away. Listen to your body, and if it hurts, stop."

"Both Hennie and I have made our share of mistakes," said Wichers, "and even at this age I'm still running actively. You learn something all the time. You open your eyes and listen to people, and pass on a few things that we've learned ourselves."

Opening ceremonies will be June 23 at 9 a.m. at the Oak Point Sports Grounds. For more information on the Games, go to www.msos.mb.ca/55PlusGames.htm

allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 20, 2009 D9