Attention senior athletes: Registration is now open for 2024 Gulf Coast Games for Life

Special to the Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The Gulf Coast Games for Life amateur competition for athletes 50 years and older takes place in January and February in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The swimming competition is scheduled on Feb. 3 at Selby Aquatic Center.
The Gulf Coast Games for Life amateur competition for athletes 50 years and older takes place in January and February in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The swimming competition is scheduled on Feb. 3 at Selby Aquatic Center.

Registration is now open for the 35th annual Gulf Coast Games for Life, which takes place in January and February throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The 2024 Gulf Coast Games for Life events are open to amateur athletes 50 years and older as of Dec. 31. The games consist of 16 events beginning with women’s doubles pickleball on Jan. 9 and continuing with events from Jan. 10 through Feb. 3.

The basketball shooting competition at the Gulf Coast Games for Life is scheduled Feb. 2 at Longwood Park in Sarasota.
The basketball shooting competition at the Gulf Coast Games for Life is scheduled Feb. 2 at Longwood Park in Sarasota.

Events will take place in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Gulf Coast Games for Life events include archery, bag toss (corn hole), basketball shooting, bowling, cycling, golf, pickleball, race walk and power walk, racquetball, 5K road race, rowing and paddle, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, target shooting, and track and field.

A one-time registration fee of $13 is required, with $4 for each event. An additional facility fee will be charged for bowling, golf, and pickleball. Also, the 5K road race has an additional fee payable at the time of registration. All refunds may be subject to a $25 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued less than 30 days prior to the event.

The Gulf Coast Games for Life racquetball competition is scheduled Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Core SRQ North Branch.
The Gulf Coast Games for Life racquetball competition is scheduled Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Core SRQ North Branch.

The first event registration deadline is Dec. 26 for pickleball. The registration deadline is two weeks prior to the first date of each event.

Gulf Coast Games for Life officials recommend that participants choose their events carefully so as not to create scheduling conflicts. Keep in mind that event directors reserve the right to combine, modify, delay, postpone or cancel any event because of inclement weather.

To view the Gulf Coast Games for Life guide with complete event details, visit tinyurl.com/u9mu9mf3. To register online, go to tinyurl.com/mucyapft. Participants may also register for all events by mail: Gulf Coast Games for Life, Pompano Trailhead, 601 S. Pompano Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237.

In addition to javelin, track and field events include discus, shot put, long jump, 50-, 100-, 200- and 400-meter sprints, and 800- and 1,500-meter runs.
In addition to javelin, track and field events include discus, shot put, long jump, 50-, 100-, 200- and 400-meter sprints, and 800- and 1,500-meter runs.

The Gulf Coast Games for Life are a qualifying event for the 2024 Florida Senior Games State Championships – to be held in December 2024 at Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County – and are a collaborative effort between Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Manatee County Sports & Leisure Services, and North Port Parks and Recreation.

For more information about the Gulf Coast Games for Life, call 311 or visit SarasotaCountyParks.com. For more information about the 2023 Florida Senior Games State Championships, visit floridaseniorgames.com.

Submitted by Sarasota County Government

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Registration underway for Sarasota-Manatee Gulf Coast Games for Life