Harold Franklin, age 78, of Yantis, is the oldest registered competitor
in Saturday's 5k Milk Run, but don't let his age fool you!

 

Senior Olympian, at 78 Years Old,
Prepares for 5k Milk Run, Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

"It's just all in a day's work!" non-chalantly proclaims Harold Franklin, of Yantis, as he prepares for Saturday's 5k Milk Run. "I've already streched for 30 minutes, walked for 5 minutes, jogged for 5 minutes, and run a mile, and then I did ten up-hill sprints!"

And, it wasn't even 10:00 in the morning, on Tuesday, when we sat down with Harold and asked him about being the oldest registered runner in Saturday's Dairy Festival event, that is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., at Coleman Park. "I guess you could say that it's in my genes and due to working hard and running on an Illinois dairy and crop farm, as I grew up!" exclaims Franklin. "When I was growing up there were four boys and one girl and all of us are still going strong. My oldest sister is 86 years old and she's still 'out-walking' all of the folks at the assisted living home where she lives, and we range in age to my younget brother, who is two years younger than me! All of us are still active to keep us young!"

 

Harold has won aproximately 170 trophies, medals, and awards, with his sport.....

 

But, humbly says it all started with these participant ribbons!!!

 

But, it hasn't always been that way. Harold suffered a stroke in 2001, where he lost the use of his right arm and right leg, and couldn't talk. However, his doctors told him that his fitness regimen was what made him able to recover and continue the quality of life he enjoys, today.

"We grew up on a 1300 acre corn, soybean, and wheat farm, near Rossville, Illinois," explains Harold. "We had 50 cows to hand-milk, before school every morning and after school every afternoon. We had 15 minutes to catch the bus, after milking, so there were a number of mornings that we sprinted to the bus. Then, our father learned that we could get home about an hour earlier by getting off the bus of the afternoon and running a mile and one-half, home! So, that's what we did!"

 

 

Harold began a coaching career in 1963, after serving in the military, and began running, as he coached a track and cross-country team for the high school, where he began, in Beardstown, Illinois. Later, he was head football coach, and in the 1970's accepted a position in Florida. There he was a member of the West Palm Beach Runner's Club and ran competively, on the weekends.

 

Harold has competed in Senior Olympics events all over the nation,
qualifying for the U.S. Nationals five times.

Always, the basketball fan, Harold still competes in Free-Throw, "All Around the World," and
3-on-3 competitions.

 

It wasn't until 1983, that Harold and his wife, Martha moved to Northeast Texas. He coached in Sulphur Springs, but quickly accepted a position as the Junior High School Coach in Yantis. Eventually, he became the Varsity Girl's Volleyball and Basketball Coach for the Lady Owls. His girls advanced to the State Finals, in Volleyball, in 1996. Harold retired from coaching in 1998, but still is one of the strongest supporters of both the Owl and Lady Owl teams, and seldom misses a game.

Harold began competing in the Senior Olympics Program in 1983, when there was only one chapter in the state. It was in Dallas, Texas. Today, he proudly proclaims that there are 11 chapters all across the state.

 

 

Harold has competed in the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meter races, as well as the 5k and 10k runs. He also likes to compete in the Free Throw Basketball Shooting Event and the "Around the World" Basketball Event, that features making 3-point shots. Harold also was a member of the 3-on-3 Men's Basketball Team that marked 50 wins and only 4 losses. "I once tried the long-jump event and the paddle-boat event, and learned I wasn't that good at those events!" proclaimed Harold. "My specialty is the 800 and 1500 meter runs, so that's what you'll be finding me competing in, most of the time!"

 

Martha states that Harold has about worn-out this volume of "The Self-Coached Runner," that serves
as his training guide.

 

Harold has qualified for the U.S. Senior Olympics competition five times and competed in 1992 at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and again in 2005, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. "Those were wonderful trips and we really enjoyed going and competing!" exclaims Harold. "Today, I'm competing in the 75-79 age group, and have plans to go to the state meet, in September, with hopes of qualifying for the Nationals again. There are 250,000 Senior Olympians that compete to go to the U.S. Nationals and only about 9% earn a spot in the competition."

"I enjoy running and the competition," continued Harold. "It keeps me going and keeps me actively involved during retirement. I had foot surgery three years ago, to remove a small bone in my foot, but was back running just as quickly as I healed!"

Harold has won approximately 170 medals and trophies and points to the "participant" ribbons that he won, when he first began the sport. "That's where I started and now it's great to look at the medals and the trophies for first place events, that shows the progress I continue to make!" states Harold.

"One of the greatest honors I have to claim was received just a few months ago, when a former student at Yantis, Joe Garcia, was serving our country in Iraq. Joe presented Martha and I with an American Flag that flew over his 557th Red Horse Squadron in Iraq and the certificate proclaimed it was presented to Harold and Martha Franklin, who support our troops in Iraq!" explains Harold. "I had coached Joe in junior high at Yantis and now he's serving our country in Iraq. It does you good to know that you've made a difference in a student's life!"

 

Harold and his wife, Martha, proudly display the flag that former student, Joe Garcia, of Yantis, presented
them, that flew over his  unit in Iraq. "It's great to know that you made a difference in the life of
a former student!" exclaims Harold.

 

Harold and Martha are members of League Street Church of Christ and make their home in Yantis, where they enjoy a variety of activities. They are the parents of three daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

"God has truly blessed me, with good genes and allowed me to participate in a sport that I truly enjoy!" acknowledges Harold. "Watch for me Saturday at the 5k Milk Run!"

And, you better be fast, if you're going to catch Harold. His motto is:

                                                           "If you can run with me, you're 'good'

                                                             If you can stay with me you're 'tough'

                                                             If you think you can pass me........

                                                                           You've got to be kidding!"

 

Mark Meadows, Chairman of this year's 5k Milk Run Committee, advised that they are expecting some 70 entrants in this year's race, in all age groups. Make plans to get out on Saturday morning and watch this exciting event, as one of the first activities of this year's 50th Anniversary Dairy Festvial Celebration. Do you realize, Harold was a mere 28 year old, when Dairy Festival got started?

 

Don't believe a word of this sign hanging in front of the Franklin home......Harold's running in a
rush, everytime you see him!

 

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