Luella Noel doesn't like to sit very much.

So the 83-year-old takes care of her house, gardens and bowls in leagues.

And, for the ninth year in a row, she plans to participate in the York County Senior Games.

In fact, this year she's planning on entering 18 events.

"I'm glad the Lord gave me health so far. How long you'll have it, you never know, but I love challenges," said Noel, of York Township. "Even if I don't win, I just love challenges and the competition."

But Noel wins quite a lot, and has averaged between 16 and 18 medals each year, said Jenny Nace, spokeswoman for the York County Area Agency on Aging, which is organizing the 11th annual Senior Games.

More than 600 seniors are expected to compete in 48 different events at the York County Senior Games from Monday, June 18, through Saturday, June 23.

"I like meeting with the friends that I have met through the years and then meeting with the new ones that are coming on," said Noel.

"There's real active activity and some not so active," she added, referring to the Senior Games' events. "You can sit if you want to, but I like the active things."

She is competing in bowling, horseshoes, basketball hot shots and Wii bowling.

"I was always in sports. Even in high school I played basketball and softball, but of course that's all we had back then," said Noel, a member of various bowling leagues for 63 years.

The triathlon: Chuck Bruce, 58, received a gold medal for his age group in the first-ever triathlon at last year's senior games. This year, he will participate in the triathlon and 30 other events again this year.

The triathlon includes a 100-yard freestyle swim, 100-yard dash and a softball throw judged on distance and accuracy.

"I always did like to run. I'd rather run than walk," said Bruce, who ran track and cross country in high school and college.

Bruce, from York Township, followed the results of the senior games before he was retired, and thought it would be a good way to stay in shape and meet people once he retired.

"The first year, I met a man who lives five minutes away from me and we stay in contact. The next year I met another man who only lives 10 minutes away," said Bruce. "I met some nice friends through this. It's not just an event you compete in. It's like one big picnic."

The public is welcome to attend the opening ceremony on Monday, June 18, at Central York High School stadium, 601 Mundis Mill Road in Springettsbury Township. It will feature a parade of athletes, door prizes and the lighting of the torch.

The games will wrap up with a closing celebration for the players and their families at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, in the Central York High School cafeteria.

If you go: Any York County resident who is 50 years of age or older as of Dec. 31 may participate in the Senior Games.

Registration began in May, but is still open for some events and costs $8. Players compete for medals among their age group.

Events include a triathlon, bowling, swimming, running, bocce, miniature golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, throws, hot shots basketball, cards, Wii bowling.

To register, call 771-9001 or visit the forms and documents page at www.ycaaa.org. For information on volunteering, call Melissa at 717-852-4964 or email magraham@yorkcountypa.gov.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at cshank@yorkdispatch.com.