At 96, she takes training for seniors’ event in stride

Barbara "Bobbie" Tilley, 96, has set a goal and is determined to accomplish it: participate for the first time in the 25th annual Silver Streaks Sunrise Walk on Saturday, part of the Great Aloha Run tradition.

She plans to conquer the 2-mile course at Ala Moana Beach Park with the help of her trusty Hugo walker.

"I’m not a marathon person," said Tilley, a resident of Kahala Nui. "I’m not a runner."

She’s been a swimmer for most of her life, and for the past 30 years has taken aqua aerobics almost daily at the YMCA next door to the retirement community. An 85-year-old friend in the class invited her to do the Silver Streaks event for those 55 and older.

"When I heard that no one over 90 had done it, that’s what got me," Tilley said. "I said, ‘I’m going to go this year and do it.’ "

Tilley is resolved to go forward, despite suffering a couple of falls last year that landed her in the hospital. One fall occurred when she tripped over a curb in a mall parking lot. The other happened when she tripped over one of her two cats, Lulu and Koa, at home.

To prepare for the event, she’s been walking around the neighborhood, accompanied by a caregiver, working her way up to a mile in the morning, then increasing the distance to 2 miles.

Several friends in their 80s have decided to participate, as well, including one who just had double knee surgery. They will all do the walk together. Next year, she hopes more residents from Kahala Nui will join her.

Tilley, born in New York City, was one of the first ladies to sign up for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in 1943, leveraging her ability to speak French and German. She moved to Hawaii in the ’60s with her husband, who was in the Air Force and stationed here.

She’s been a longtime supporter of the Hawaiian Humane Society (where she got her cats). Tilley used to be an avid swimmer and still loves the ocean, the subject of many of her watercolor paintings. But walking on the beach is now difficult for her.

"I just want to prove that I can do it, and I think I will," she said. "It’ll be a fun day."

The event includes refreshments, entertainment, a goodie bag and T-shirt at the finish line.