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The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics is aiming for its biggest year yet in 2025, with new chair Rod Hupp seeking to expand participation while navigating scheduling limits caused by the competition’s rapid growth.
Hupp, a Fairfax County resident in the Falls Church area, succeeded Riley Geary as chair of the nonprofit organization this year. He hopes to introduce more local seniors to both the challenge and enjoyment of competition.
Planning is underway for this year’s games, scheduled to begin Sept. 13 and continue through at least Sept. 30. Organizers could extend the calendar to accommodate more competitors and additional events.
The 2024 competition set a record with 1,040 athletes participating in more than 70 events across eight Northern Virginia jurisdictions.
Hupp, 72, discovered the games in 2022 after a softball teammate asked him to teach her how to throw a football and Frisbee for the competition. He later visited the organization’s website and registered for 12 events, earning five gold medals, two silvers and one bronze.
He has competed in each of the past three Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Athletes become eligible at age 50, while some recent competitors have been older than 100.
Growth, however, is creating logistical challenges. Hupp said some popular events could face limits unless organizers lengthen the overall schedule.
Pickleball is a particular concern. More than 225 players compete across numerous age divisions in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, producing hundreds of matches that must be scheduled and supervised. Rainouts can further complicate the tournament, and court availability is finite.
Despite those pressures, Hupp said the games remain both competitive and encouraging, with participants cheering for one another even as they pursue medals.
He recalled partnering with a longtime friend in men’s doubles cornhole last year. After practicing several times at a local park, the pair unexpectedly reached the final and won silver. Hupp said his friend proudly showed the medal to his wife and children.
Registration will be open from July 7 through Aug. 29. A $20 fee allows athletes to enter as many events as they choose, although a few specialized competitions carry additional charges.
Participating jurisdictions include Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties, along with the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church.
The broader Senior Olympics movement traces its roots to a 1970 competition in Los Angeles. Northern Virginia hosted its first regional games in 1982.