73-Year-Old Walking 50 States To Inspire Seniors Visiting Chattanooga-Area Morning Pointe Communities

  • Thursday, May 22, 2025
Ron Du Preez
Ron Du Preez
Ron Du Preez, at age 73, is walking 50 kilometers in 50 states over 50 consecutive days, and he’s making several Morning Pointe Senior Living communities in the Chattanooga area part of his journey May 29-31.

As he travels the United States in his Senior Strides campaign, Mr. Du Preez is sharing his motivational message about the power of movement, especially for adults ages 65 and up. He kicked off his tour in Honolulu, Hi.; Anchorage, Ak. and the Hoover Dam in Nevada. For Tennessee and Georgia, the Chattanooga and North Georgia areas are his chosen stops.

“Ron is a friend of mine and is doing an incredible thing to show by example the importance of exercise for older adults,” said Franklin Farrow, co-founder and CEO of Morning Pointe Senior Living.
“In senior living, we see the value of physical movement for our senior residents in keeping them healthy and happy. Having Ron come and share with our residents and the greater Chattanooga community is a good opportunity.”

The public is invited to be part of Mr. Du Preez’s journey at the following locations and times:

- Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. – inspirational talk at Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove, 9650 Leyland Dr. in Collegedale;
- Friday, May 30 at 6:30 a.m. – easy half-mile walk from Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove to The Lantern at Morning Pointe Collegedale;
- Friday, May 30, at 5:45 p.m. – inspirational talk at Morning Pointe of East Hamilton, 1776 Generations Way (9700 Block E. Brainerd Road) in Ooltewah;
- Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m. – inspirational talk at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga, 7719 Shallowford Road in Chattanooga; and
- Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. – easy afternoon walk at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley, 2989 Happy Valley Road in Rossville.

Mr. Du Preez is no stranger to pushing the limits, having previously completed seven marathons in seven countries in seven days. However, while not everyone can run a marathon, many more people, including seniors, can incorporate simple walking into their lifestyle, and that is what Mr. Du Preez’s Senior Strides campaign is all about, officials said.

To learn more about Mr. Du Preez and his journey, including the full list of his tour schedule, visit seniorstrides.org.
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