94-Year-Old Participates In 5K Race
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Team Ort Sports from Gibson County hit the ground running Thursday morning for the 9th annual Turkey Day 5K at Gold’s Gym. The leader of the pack was 94-year-old grandmother Catherine Ort. “Oooh boy, it’s very cold,” Catherine Ort said. Michael Ort, Catherine’s grandson, says it’s the family’s third time running the race. But this year they switched gears and invited Michael’s 75 year old father, his 19 year old daughter, six other family members and the newest addition to the family 10 month old Jada. “We got up this morning and saw the thermometer at 16 degrees, most important part was our brightly covered pajama pants,” Michael Ort said. With 15 members running on their team the Orts won awards ranging from the oldest runner, to the youngest. “Well it was the fastest time that I’ve done a 5K pushing a wheelchair,” Micheal Ort said. “It was my daughters fastest time pushing a stroller, we had multiple family members (and) it was their first 5K so it was their fastest 5K ever.” After winning awards for the most members present and for having a member travel the farthest to get to Jackson, all the way from California, Michael says the family is just thankful to have everyone together. “We just feel blessed by God to be able to be here today and just hope that we’ll see other people get up and get moving around,” Michael Ort said. Proceeds from the charity event benefit the Regional Interfaith Association or RIFA, which helps feed West Tennesseans year round.
