World Masters Games - We All Compete!

Trivia question - What's the largest participatory multi-sport event in the world? Answer: The World Masters Games. S'what?

Going on right now (Oct. 10 - 18, 2009) in Sydney, Australia, The World Masters Games, governed by the International Masters Games Association, motivates a goal-oriented and long-term attitude towards sport, physical fitness and health by bringing together men and women for the simple joy of competing with their peers. But the cool thing about the games is that anyone who meets the minimum age criterion (anywhere from 25 to 35, depending on the sport) can compete. And many sports competitions are graded so as to provide competitors with the choice of participating seriously or socially.

The result is a massive week of sporting joviality with people of all ages. In this year's games, there are 28,292 competitors from 95 countries ranging in age from 25 to 101. Yes, 101, and that's shot-putter Ruth Frith of Australia, thank you. Pictured here is O Santa Claus, also of Australia, seen competing in the men's 80-84 years 100 meter run.

If Ruth and O Santa don't inspire you to get healthy, it's time for you to check yourself under the hood.

Photo via GettyImages.com.