Queenslander Tony Cameron-Kirk believes in making the most of life. So much so that he started competing in triathlons at the age of 76.
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In the seven years since he was taken part in about 25 triathlons.
“I am really slow so I am always the last competitor but in the most recent event the next person down age-wise was 73 years old,” he said.
The day of our interview, Mr Cameron-Kirk did a 50 kilometre bicycle ride.
“It’s so important to be fit and do some physical work, especially as you get older because otherwise you soon deteriorate.”
Mr Cameron-Kirk said he took part in shorter events that consisted of a 750 metre swim, 15 kilometre cycle and a 5 kilometre run.
“I also do a lot of running, mostly at Raby Bay.
“I have got macular degeneration so I can’t drive any distance.”
Mr Cameron-Kirk said he was fit to a degree when he took up triathlons.
“But nothing in comparison to what I am now. I have had to train hard but I enjoy it.”
Mr Cameron-Kirk’s favourite discipline is running but he bought a bicycle and later won a racer, which he recently took to a triathlon in New Zealand.
“That was quite an adventure, travelling with with my backpack and a bike box.”
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Mr Cameron-Kirk said the fitness paid off when doctors agreed to perform brain surgery on him a few years ago.
“They never do this operation on someone who is older than 60 but they did it on me because I am so fit.
“After the surgery I had to learn to walk again but I was back training after four weeks.”
A member of the Bayside Runners and Walkers, Mr Cameron-Kirk said it was the atmosphere and people involved that kept him involved.
“We’re like a large family. There is so much laughter and smiling. It is tremendous to be among that.”
