Two South Florida senior living communities Abbey Delray South and Abbey Delray, both owned and operated by Lifespace Communities, recently put on the seventh annual Fitness Challenge between the two communities.

The challenges consisted of a one-mile walk/jog for time, one-minute squat challenge, six-minute bike ride for distance, an obstacle course relay, hand grip strength challenge and a single leg balance for time. Residents at both communities did sport-specific training the last past three weeks to get ready for the big day.

“It was a great day,” said Abby Delray South fitness director Mike Schmidt. Abbey Delray was led by its director of fitness, Jordyn Rocafort. “We had 25 residents compete from Abbey Delray and Abbey Delray South. The event started at 9:30 a.m. with our one-mile walk/run around our 33-acre campus for time with residents from both communities attending, cheering on their friends and neighbors.”

Following the 2 1/2-hour competition, there was lunch and awards for the attendees. Prizes went out to the top three finishers in all eight events. Abbey Delray South was victorious and kept the cup for another year.

“We all had a great time together and it was great meeting the athletes from our sister community,” said 96-year-old Mary Bergquist, who lives in Abbey Delray. “Many of us won prizes, even I, at 96 years old, won third place in the shot-put competition. I’m a very strong shot putter. We already started practicing for next year, and plan on beating the socks off of Abbey Delray South.”

There were also a few tournament records set — Harriet Tenhoeve (ADS) and Leslie Robinson (ADS) led the way in the one-mile walk tying for first with a time of 12 minutes and 50 seconds. Roop Shivpuri (AD) set records in both the shot put (23 feet with a 3-pound ball) and the hand grip strength at 64.4 pounds of pressure. John Achenbach set a new tournament record completing 2.05 miles on the bike in the six-minute timed event.

Tenhoeve, 78, captured the one-mile walk/run and the obstacle course,

“It is so much fun, and we laugh a lot,” she said. “Even though we are competitive, we cheer for everyone. It’s a team effort and everyone has a great time. It reminds us that we need to keep fit. I look forward to it next year.”

The next event for the communities will come later this month as they host the 13th annual Olympic Games, utilizing all the amenities on campus, including a golf putting green, bocce, golf driving range, shuffleboard, cornhole, darts, ping pong and pool.