MacPherson earns medals in Missouri State Senior Games

Ozark County Associate Circuit Judge Cynthia MacPherson earned three silver medals and two gold medals at the 2018 Missouri State Senior Games held in Columbia June 7-10. MacPherson ran a 5K race followed by four track events and qualified to compete in the National Senior Games to be held June 14-25, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Missouri State Senior Games is an annual Olympic-style sports festival for competitors age 50 and older. MacPherson, who earned three gold medals in the event last year, has been recovering from knee replacement surgery for several months. “This was one of my most difficult of undertakings,” she said. “I was so intimidated about taking that first step back into competitive running and so proud of myself for putting my fears aside and going for it.”
Following her knee replacement surgery, MacPherson, who has competed in countless half marathons and marathons, decided, for now, to forego the long-distance running and compete in shorter distances like the track events at the Senior Games.
MacPherson encourages other Ozark County seniors to consider participating in the event. “I had the opportunity to meet some gutsy women - some far older than me,” she said.
“There’s no need to run, if that’s not your cup of tea,” she said. “They have everything from bowling to pickle ball,” she added. “Next year, I’m going for the high jump!”