READY TO RUN

July 11, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

Ursuline graduate Tom Joyce has no plans to slow down anytime soon

Just like Ol’ Man River, Tom Joyce keeps rolling along. A 1969 graduate of Ursuline High School, Joyce has become a frequent competitor in road races now that he has reached his golden years.

Last month, he completed the Tortoise and Hare trail race, a part of the Fingerlakes Runners Club Finger Lakes Trail Series.

Put on at the New York state Buttermilk Falls State Park, the 10.8K course (6.7 miles) features a 400-foot incline within a half-mile stretch.

Joyce, who resides in in Ithaca, N.Y., has finished the race each of the past five years, this time at 1:14:20.6, placing third in his age group and 75th overall (of 149 finishers).

“I run because it is a lifetime way of exercise,” Joyce said. “I’ve encouraged both of my daughters to be runners for the same reason.”

In April, Joyce, 65, completed the Skunk Cabbage Classic, a half-marathon that is run through the Cornell University campus.

With a time of 2:17:17, he finished sixth in the 60-plus age group and placed 509th overall in the event that drew over 1,000 entries.

It is the fourth time he has run the 13-mile race since turning 60.

“Almost anyone can enjoy running as an exercise and well into our elderly years,” Joyce said. “I can continue to compete running to equal or break a previous time or to be competitive against runners in my age group.”

He plans to run in the Youngstown Peace Race (10K) in the autumn after his maiden try last fall.

Joyce, who has been an active tennis player for over a half century, was just the race director of the seventh annual Peter DeMott Peace Trot 5K, a combined road/trail race also held in Ithaca.

“It is a great exercise for one’s mental health, reducing stress and the cares of the world,” Joyce said.

He does not plan to rest now that he’s retired; he’s acting more like the Energizer Bunny.