2 Active Aging Week | MAY 2026
PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY ACTIVE AGING IN MANITOBA
The Manitoba 55+ Games offer plenty of sports and activities to choose from.
BEING ACTIVE, MAKING FRIENDS Manitoba 55+ Games offers ‘something for everyone’
The Manitoba 55+ Games is the largest 55-plus multi-activity event in Manitoba, with more than 1,100 participants annually. This year’s edition features one- and three-kilometre pre- dicted-time walks and runs, single and team five-pin bowling, eight-ball and snooker, nine- and 18-hole golf, arts and crafts, bocce ball, bridge, cribbage, disc golf, equestrian, floor shuffleboard, horseshoes, pickleball, slo-pitch, swimming, track events, shot put and standing long jump competitions. Linda Brown, executive director of Active Aging in Manitoba, which orga- nizes the Manitoba 55+ Games, said participants and spectators can expect a first-class experience in Morden, Win- kler and Stanley this June. “The facilities are outstanding,” Brown said. “They are so fortunate in that part of the province.”
Pickleball and slo-pitch remain two of the most popular events. Around a dozen slo-pitch teams usually enter, as do more than 300 pickleballers. New demonstration sports this year are equestrian events and disc golf. The equestrian events will take place at Birds Hill Park. Brown said the Manitoba 55+ Games and the Manitoba Horse Council are working together to offer an opportunity for older equestrian enthusiasts to remain active in a sport they’ve loved for decades. Adding disc golf is recognition of that sport’s growing popularity across Manitoba. Disc golfers have plenty to look forward to in 2026. “It’s a really good course,” Brown said. “Quite challenging.” The Manitoba 55+ Games also offer many opportunities to exercise your brain. Card enthusiasts can enjoy bridge and cribbage. Creative types can submit their photographs, woodwork- ing and crafts for display at Winkler Arts + Culture Centre, where visitors will be welcome to view the displays, which will be judged. While medals and ribbons will be earned, the most heartwarming moments of the Games are the social interactions. Children and grandchil- dren cheer on their loved ones. Friend- ships are made and maintained. “People being active is what Active Aging is all about,” Brown said. “But,
also, it’s the connections and friend- ships. People who’ve been in the Games for 20, 25 years, they might only see these people once a year.” Brown said many people and organi- zations make the Manitoba 55+ Games a reality. Hundreds of volunteers gladly offer their services. Many corporate sponsors provide food, water and help keep the games affordable. Provincial sports organizations share their exper- tise and staff. When asked for a favourite memory that sums up the spirit of the Manitoba 55+ Games, Brown shared a story from the 2023 edition, held in Selkirk. In the one- and three-kilometre predicted walk events, participants try and guess how long it will take them to complete their walks. They submit predicted times when they register and can change them until 20 minutes before the start. “It’s all about your prediction, it’s not walking faster than anybody else,” Brown said. “In 2023, the woman who got the gold medal was 85 and she used a walker. She was within seconds of her predicted time. “She couldn’t believe she won a medal.” For more information, please visit www.activeagingmb.ca. n
BY TONY ZERUCHA
Whether you regularly enjoy physical activity, just take the occasional stroll, or prefer card games and arts and crafts, the 43rd annual Manitoba 55+ Games offer “something for everyone.” Come and join in the fun from June 9 to 11 in Morden, Win- kler and the R.M. of Stanley!
As the Manitoba 55+ Games increase in popularity each year, more is required to host the games. Morden, Winkler and Stanley check all the boxes, with many facilities and great accommodations. Brown said the three days are full of friendly fun. Even though participants range in age from those turning 55 in 2026 to people aged 90-plus, all will compete against people of similar ages.
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