Bruce Groves

By Peggy Oliver

Bruce Groves believes in life after retirement, and an active one at that! We know him as the only competitor in his age group (87 years old). Bruce can burn up the track with a 13 minute mile these days; and at the Great Potato Race on May 1 this year, he was not only first in his age group, but his time was better than 22 of all other age group winners. You don't mess with Bruce!

Bruce has gathered a 14-page "brag sheet" documenting his race history which began when he was 74 years old. That history included some overall first place finishes. Before you begin thinking that you can match Bruce's accomplishments if you are given enough time, try to add this to the mix: Bruce also is accomplished at tennis and skiing and has medals to prove it. Bruce has the talent and endurance of an athlete, but he didn't apply it toward competition until after retirement. He was a forester and had to use his athletic ability to hike, climb trees, and run from bears. If medals were awarded for these job-related events, I'm sure Bruce would have a stack of them.

Bruce's advice for us is simple, "Just keep working at it." Sounds like Bruce understands endurance. He's a kind and gentle man who takes life graciously. He is thankful for his health and is currently helping his wife through her health difficulties. We wish them both the best.