The Mature Mile is an event held in conjunction with the Family Fitness Weekend that encourages seniors, 60-years-of-age or older to walk a mile. The event started in 2005 and continues to inspire hundreds of seniors from local retirement homes, senior centers and area individuals each year to get fit.

The Mature Mile is held each April in Forest Park as part of the weekend’s Family Day celebration. Seniors train for months preceding the event in anticipation of completing their fitness journey.

At the 2008 event, the St. Louis Senior Center won the award for registering the most participants with 50. In addition, Fredrick Dieterichs from Laclede Oaks was the oldest male competitor at 90-years-old and Pansy Fell at 92-years-old from Meramac Bluffs was the oldest female. The most mature couple was Mary and Carl Schaeffer with a combined age of 153 years.

GO! St. Louis Mature Mile Coordinator: Cathy Thurwachter

2008 Mature Mile Committee Members:  Dick Bossch and Loretta Davis AARP, Maggie Spencer LSS, John Rothbarth St. Louis Times, Diane Suter OASIS, Tammy Hamilton, Carol McKinney SLAAA.

2008 Mature Mile Honorary Chairman: Ron Jacober, KMOX Radio

Special Thanks to the St. Louis Times and the Washington University School of Physical Therapy for their continued support of the Mature Mile.

The 2009 Mature Mile is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Forest Park. Event registration begins in September, 2008.