Team of Local Seniors InspireS Themselves and Others Each Year in the Eugene 5K

Willamette Oaks’ 2026 team following the Eugene 5K presented by OCCU.

EUGENE, Ore. — When Margaret Prentice entered the track at Hayward Field on Saturday, April 25, to finish the Eugene 5K presented by OCCU, a stadium-sized gasp was let out by the crowd as the announcer proclaimed: Get on your feet for Margaret Prentice: at 95-years old, she’s about to cross the finish line here at Hayward Field.

The clock read 1:07:17, as she crossed the line, but Prentice’s chip time was even faster — 1:03:57. An amazing feat for someone her age, made even more amazing by the chance to do it alongside her teammates from the local retirement community: Willamette Oaks.

Since 2023, Prentice and the team from Willamette Oaks have done the Eugene 5K each year. Many, like Prentice, have done it all four years, and they say it’s an event they prepare for and look forward to every year. 

“Doing it together is so much fun, and that’s what keeps me doing it each year. I wouldn’t dream of doing it by myself,” Prentice said. “And it’s also a thrill to hear your name called out over the loud speaker at Hayward Field.”

This year Prentice crossed the finish line beside two teammates: 87-year-old Joanna Barnes and 79-year old Peter Kirkpatrick. Gloria Tipton (age 79), Ron Youker (age 78), Sally Sherman (age 80), Rex Vesey (age 83) and Alan Schloss (age 84) also participated for Willamette Oaks in 2026, in addition to Willamette Oaks’ staff members Mia Jensen, Julie Baxter and Kayla Gratzer. 

“I really enjoyed the practice walks in the winter,” said Sherman, who just moved to Eugene and completed her first 5K at Hayward Field in April. “Coming down the home stretch on the track was just amazing!”

Jensen, who serves as the LifeMinded Programs Director at Willamette Oaks, also ran the marathon on Sunday, running right past Willamette Oaks’ riverside community near the Mile 18 mark. A loud crowd of residents cheered her on as she passed by. 

Jensen moved to Eugene and began working at Willamette Oaks just over four years ago; being a runner who loved road racing herself, Jensen wanted to share that race day experience with the residents. Each year since 2023, she gets a walking group of 7-10 individuals signed up and this year was no different. Another 95-year old resident Lolly Smith, last did the race in 2023, but still participates regularly in the walking group. As for races, the walking group not only does the Eugene 5K each spring, but also walks the Bark in the Park, the OTC Butte to Butte on the Fourth of July, and the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.

“I’d done marathons in the past, so when I moved here and saw there was a 5K that went along with the Eugene Marathon, I thought, oh wow, that could be perfect!” Jensen said. “We have a bunch of residents who frequently go out and walk on the bike path and many can walk 3.1 miles, so we put out an interest list and quite a few were interested.”

“Rising to a challenge is always a good thing,” Sherman said. “Especially if it’s a challenge that you’re not sure you can complete… We are proud of our ages and that we can do this and I hope that we can be an example to other seniors to get out there and be active.”