By Don Lowe
Most top-notch athletes excel in their teens, 20s and 30s before they begin to slow down and retire from competition, but that’s not the case for 92-year-old Dave McCoy of Carthage, Missouri, who has continued at an elite level well into his 90s.
While McCoy has proven quite versatile with tremendous success competing in several athletic endeavors over the years (discus, javelin, triple jump and football and softball accuracy and distance throws), his achievements in running events have been most impressive during the past decade or so.
All the accomplishments and accolades are nice, but for McCoy, his reason to run starts with relationships. “It’s all about the people,” he says.
McCoy is convinced running has been important in remaining in relatively good physical condition into his 90s and he says, “It’s one of the healthiest things you can do. I believe it’s one of the reasons I’ve lived so long.”
As recently as two years ago, McCoy dazzled when he set Show-Me-State Games Records in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter runs in the 90-94-year-olds age group, along with holding Missouri State Running Records in the mile- and two-mile runs for 91-year-olds.
One of McCoy’s five children, Cheryl Bryant, says, “He’s competitive and likes to win. And he enjoys challenging and pushing himself to be successful.
“He also enjoys supporting others. There’s such an energy at these 5k runs. The camaraderie is special. Everybody’s pushing, encouraging and cheering each other. He’s happy for everyone else. He’s just as thrilled if somebody else does their best and wins.”
Like the Energizer Bunny, McCoy just keeps going and going and Bryant explains, “He stays active. He’ll walk and jog. He walks his dog a mile every night.
“Pickleball is the new sport he’s picked up. He went to shoot basketball at the YMCA not long ago, but the courts were set up for pickleball. Now he goes and plays two to three times a week. He’s always trying something new.
“When he was in his upper 80s, he asked if I’d teach him how to triple jump. It didn’t take him long to do it either.”
It’s easy to marvel at McCoy. Fellow runner Kathy Richart says, “My husband, Russ, and I are inspired by Dave, and many of our fellow running friends are, too.
“Russ and I have multiple aches and pains and we’re 20-25 years younger than Dave. I’d say he must have several injuries to overcome as well. Many of our friends complain about how they can’t do this or that, but Dave is proof that if you have the will, you can overcome most anything.”
Richart believes McCoy’s attitude is amazing and she says, “We’ve never heard him complain about anything. He’s always happy and has a big smile on his face.”
Bryant knows that for her dad, it truly is just about making connections. “His love for people trumps all of it. It brings more people into his life.”
Dave McCoy Fast Facts
Age: 92 years old (turns 93 Oct. 10) Spouse: Betty McCoy Years Married: 72 years Number of Children: 5 Number of Grandchildren: 7 Number of Great Grandchildren: 12 Birthplace & Year: Ravenden, Arkansas, in 1931 High School Alma Mater and Year Graduated: Soldan-Blewett High School in St. Louis, 1950 Military Career: Served as a Navy Corpsman and stationed with the Marines on the front lines during the Korean War. Professional Career: Served as a lab and X-ray technician at McCune Brooks Hospital in Carthage, Missouri, for more than 40 years.
Dave’s Favorite Events: Erick’s Run (Carthage), Maple Leaf 5K (Carthage), Squirrel Run (Marionville) and Turkey Trot (Springfield), as well as Missouri State Senior Games and Show-Me-State Games. Honors: Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, and in recognition of his success at the Missouri State Games, Dave was named Missouri’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 2022.