'Still giving it a shot'

JAY — Roger Dobson of Jay recently competed in the 30th National Senior Games in Birmingham, Alabama. 

The multi-sport event for people age 50 years and older takes place every two years in various cities throughout the United States. This year's event featured 19 sports.

Dobson competed in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter track and field events. He qualified for the National Championships by winning in Pensacola last September and advancing to nationals through the state senior games in Tampa last December.

Dobson began his running career at Jay High School by running the mile on Jay High’s first track team in 1963. He’s competed in road races and track events through the years. 

The 1964 graduate is still on the track 53 years later.

“God has blessed me to be able to maintain a fitness level that allows me to still compete,” Dobson said. “It’s not easy, but I’m still giving it a shot.”

Over 30 men across the nation qualified in the same races as Dobson. The top eight finishers in each event garnered All-American status.

Dobson finished fifth in the 800-meter finals with a time of 3:01 and he finished seventh with a time of 6:26 in the 1,500-meter distance. He was named All-American in both events for the 70-74 age group.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'Still giving it a shot'