Bob Root, 75, looks for 8'

[Bubba PV]

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/65958597.html

Even at 75, Niles man competes for the love of the game
By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com

Bob Root, of Niles, stays fit and competitive at age 75, and has countless track and field event medals to prove it. (WSBT-TV Photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Oct 25, 2009 at 10:47 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 25, 2009 at 11:19 PM EDT

NILES -- A 75-year-old Niles man won hundreds of medals, and broke state records in track and field for his age category.

Bob Root says if you have the will, there's a way. No matter how old you are.

"The good Lord has given me a good body," said Root.

At 75, Root has plenty to smile about. He has his family and his health.

A daily routine of running and strength training keeps him fit and healthy enough to compete.

"I do twenty to twenty push-ups and about eighty sit-ups," said Root. "Gotta keep the muscles warmed up or the joke's on you."

Root's sport of choice is vaulting. He has earned medal after medal as a first-place finisher.

There's about 159 of them, Root said as he counted medals on his wall. With the Kentucky win? Make it 160.

He competed Oct. 4 in the 2009 Kentucky Senior Games. He came in first in his age category for the pole vault, long jump and high jump events.

He also broke a few records.

"It's fun," Root said. "I enjoy the competition."

Root says he's always been competitive.

While he got his start as an athlete back in high school, he really didn't develop his passion for running until his 60s.

"If you are able to do it, do it," said Root. "If you don't use it you're going to lose it."

Over time he's experienced his share of injuries.

"When I pull a muscle I know age is creeping up," he said.

But as soon as he healed, he was at it again with a different sport: the pole vault.

Practice is one reason he has earned so many first-place finishes.

"The second year I vaulted I took first place and first place ever since," he said.

The practice pit is right in his backyard. He had to sign a waiver with a local school district to own their pit.

"It's not the best, but it beats mattresses," Root said.

During training, he gets quite a few jumps in and he hopes to exceed his personal goal on the vault.

"Eight feet," he said. "I'm trying to get over half."

Somewhat surprised, yet proud of what he has accomplished.

"I'm pretty pleased," he said. And he hopes to serve as an inspiration.

"If you have the will and really want it bad enough you can do it," he said.

Whether you are five or 75 years old, Bob hopes his story will uplift others.

In the meantime, he'll continue competing.

"I know the older I get, if I let off a week or two it's hard to get back," said Root.

For the love of it all.

"It's too hard, I wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it," he said.