Your Neighbor | Ralph Maxwell

When Ralph Maxwell turned 74, he decided it was time for a change.

“I was ashamed that I had let myself go to pot and disgusted that I wasn’t doing anything about it,” said Maxwell. “I decided then I was going to change my lifestyle.”

Twenty years later, Maxwell continues to compete in track and field events, both locally and around the nation. He recently returned from the Florida International Senior Games and State Championships, where he earned medals in all his events and set three new records in the 50-meter sprint, triple jump and 800-meter run.

Winning medals and setting records is not new for Maxwell, who holds six world records and 12 national records. But, a particular victory brings a smile to his face.

“The one that stands out for me is when I turned 85,” Maxwell said. “I went to the National Indoor Meet in Idaho, and there I won my first title. It was the national record in the triple jump. And when they announced it over the loud speaker that Ralph Maxwell had set a national record, I was still there in the pit and I was just overwhelmed with a feeling of elation and joy. I had to turn away from the rest of them because the tears came. It was quite an eventful day for me.”

Although he is sometimes the only entrant in the 90 to 95 age group, he still gets joy out of being a part of the event.

“These guys that used to whip my butt all the time don’t show up anymore ... I’ve either outlasted or outlived them,” Maxwell said, laughing.

Maxwell trains year-round and often runs on the beach. As fairly new transplants to Longboat Key, Maxwell and his wife, Liz, are enjoying the warm temperatures and staying closer to their home in Minnesota.

“We had been spending our winters in Costa Rica, but we’re getting along in years now, and it was just getting a little much for us with the international flights,” he said. “We thought we’d move a little closer to home, and Longboat was a great place to do that.”

Neighborhood: Beach Harbor Club

Your neighbor since: 2011

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “My motto is exercise more, eat less. I like to keep it simple.” — Ralph Maxwell

Contact Kelsey Grau at [email protected]