BY SAPNA PATHAK

Six years ago Ken Folsum was a frustrated runner. He was 75 years old and thought his racing days were over.

So he made sure they weren’t.

The Salem native and five friends formed the New England 60-plus Runners Club, drawing those looking to stay competitive at a later age. Today, the group includes more than 600 members.

On Sunday, Aug. 5, the 81-year-old competed in this year’s annual Granite State Senior Games; he completed the 5K course in 31 minutes, 39 seconds.

“There weren’t a lot of places that offered 70- or 80-plus events,” said Folsum. “But I wanted to keep running and so did my friends, so we decided to form our own group. It’s grown so much. We had no idea so many senior runners would take to it. But maybe more people felt like we did.”

Mingling with runners and cheering on those still running, Folsum was joined by Salem’s Fred Bertelson at the road race on Industrial Park Drive in Manchester.

In addition to running each day, Folsum keeps in shape by playing tennis five mornings a week and skiing during the winter.

Folsum began running when he was 54, after listening to former co-workers’ advice to try the sport.

“The guys at work kept coming every Monday morning and telling me how good a time they had racing over the weekend,” said Folsum with a laugh. “So I finally tried it and signed up for my first race … After a quarter of a mile, I thought I was done. I didn’t think I’d make it, and then I thought I needed to be in better shape, so I really got into it.”

Folsum is also scheduled to compete at the Senior Games’ track and field meet, with Salem natives Ed Brooks and Len Rosen, on Sunday, Aug. 12.

Another Salem competitor from the GSSG’s first weekend was John Cahalane, who competed in the cycling event.