Sun City resident Nick Koplos (87) took 1st place in the 2024 Elmhurst 4 on the 4th race, beating out 1,100 other racers. (Photo provided)
My husband, Nick Koplos, who will be turning 88 years old on August 16, began the sport of running races for weight control and cardio-vascular exercise at 41 years of age. He immediately began training for racing as a part of his nightly after-work-program of 40 miles weekly (for marathons) and 25 miles weekly (for other races). He accomplished most of his 10-12 yearly races (with numerous medals won) under the auspices of CARA or Chicago Area Runner’s Association. During the years of 1981, 1982, and 1983, at the ages of 45, 46, and 47, respectively, Nick became hyper-enthused with his newly discovered sport through his successful entrance and completion of three Chicago Marathons with an average time accomplishment of 3 hours and 26 minutes for the 26.2 mile races.
Though in 1994 at the age of 58, he was told by his ortho surgeon not to participate in future runs because of a difficult back surgery. Nick then sadly had to omit the sport from his daily regimen of sports activities for the next 12 years. However, against his doctor’s recommendation, but with the desire to race with his two sons, my husband returned to the sport in 2006 at the ripe older age of almost 70 years. He continued running through 2018, in spite of a leg injury (requiring therapeutic help) which, nevertheless, resulted in a 2nd place age-group finish in the Lake Front 10 Miler (Lake Michigan) with a completion time of 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Now recently, having missed the camaraderie and competition since his last race, he decided to train once again during daily early hours run around and about Wild Flower Lake for the past 2-3 months. My husband then returned to his beloved sport for Elmhurst 2024’s “4 on the 4th” where he successfully beat out other age-group racers, amongst the total 1100 participants! Way to go, Nickie – What a great achievement for 1st place in the 85-89 men’s age group!!
My wish is that you have many more successful foot races in your near and more distant future with more runner’s highs experienced! Nick, you are our “Beacon of Hope” for all Sun Citians reaching their 80 + age groups!!!
