Vienna-area residents 50 and older have until Monday, Aug. 24, to register for the 44th annual Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, according to InsideNova. The games open Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the first competition, swimming, on Friday, Sept. 11. Events run through Sunday, Oct. 4, at 30 venues across the region, including two in Vienna and Oakton.

The fee is $20. It covers unlimited events.

Rock climbing and darts join the schedule for the first time this year, and weightlifting returns after a four-year absence.

Michael Coleman, chair of the NVSO and a Falls Church resident, told Patch that attendance has broken records in each of the past four years. More than 1,200 participants competed in 2025, and about 20 percent of this year's registrants so far are newcomers.

"I'm 75," Coleman said. "You get to be my age, and if you're still doing this stuff, you are somewhat competitive. But at the same time, you're meeting people."

Coleman, a former runner and current weightlifter, is recuperating from a shoulder injury and won't compete this year but plans to attend events.

What's happening locally

The 3-mile power walk takes place Sunday, Sept. 13, at James Madison High School Track, 2500 James Madison Drive in Vienna. Women start at 11:30 a.m.; men at 12:30 p.m.

Two Oakton venues host golf events: Oakmont Golf Center (3136 Jermantown Road) for 9-hole par-3 golf on Thursday, Sept. 24, and Oakmont Mini Golf Center (3200 Jermantown Road) for miniature golf on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The new rock climbing event (top rope) is scheduled at Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria on Thursday, Oct. 1, for ages 70–99 and Sunday, Oct. 4, for ages 50–69. Darts debuts Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge in Fairfax.

How to register

Registration is open at nvso.us through Aug. 24. Participants must be 50 or older and reside in Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax City, or in Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun or Prince William counties.

Events span physical competitions like track and field, swimming, pickleball, tennis and cycling alongside non-physical contests including Scrabble, canasta, Mah Jongg and jigsaw puzzles. Most are organized in five- and 10-year age groups, separated by gender. Friends and family are welcome to watch.

Volunteers are still needed. Information is available at nvso.us/support/volunteer.

Upcoming schedule

  • Wednesday, Sept. 9: Games officially open
  • Friday, Sept. 11: Swimming at Ashburn Recreation and Community Center
  • Sunday, Sept. 13: 3-mile power walk at James Madison High School, Vienna
  • Tuesday, Sept. 15: Miniature golf at Oakmont Mini Golf Center, Oakton
  • Saturday, Sept. 19: Welcoming ceremony at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, Arlington
  • Thursday, Sept. 24: 9-hole golf at Oakmont Golf Center, Oakton
  • Thursday, Oct. 1: Rock climbing (ages 70–99) at Sportrock, Alexandria
  • Saturday, Oct. 3: Darts at Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge, Fairfax
  • Sunday, Oct. 4: Rock climbing (ages 50–69) at Sportrock, Alexandria