Charlie Completes His 123rd Triathlon!
For his 91st birthday celebration this year, Charlie completed his 3rd Central Florida Triathlon Series event. Fellow triathletes and friends celebrated his accomplshment with a cake (of course!).
Including his six Ironman® World Championships (a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, 26.2-mile run) in Kona, Hawaii, Charlie's latest Central Florida Triathlon Series completion marks his 123rd triathlon finish.
Central Florida Triathlon Series in Clermont, Florida
On June 11, 2011, Charlie became the oldest person to ever complete an officially sanctioned Triathlon at the Central Florida Triathlon Series #2 event in Clermont, Florida. He did the full Sprint distance triathlon of a 1/4 mile swim, followed by a 10-mile bike course and 3-mile run, with a time of 2:18:38. The USA Triathlon association believes Charlie is the only person 90-years old to finish both an officially sanctioned Duathlon and Triathlon race.
Charlie's long-time friend and competitor Dr. John C. Taylor of Atlanta, GA wanted to be the oldest man to complete a triathlon. But Taylor's birthday is May 9, 1921, and Charlie's is August 9, 1920, making Charlie the oldest to ever complete such a race. The friendly competition continues.
Charlie has set a goal for himself of completing at least three USAT sanctioned triathlons this year. This accomplishment would ensure that he would appear in the USAT's national age group rankings for 2011.
Continuing his quest, Charlie completed the CFT Series #3 race on July 16, 2011 with a time of 2:15:10, and CFT Series #4 on August 13, 2011 with a time of 2:10:59. He has improved his time on this course by several minutes each race. Seems to prove Charlie's point that:
"When you're over the hill, you pick up speed!"
YTS For LIVESTRONG Triathlon Series in Tampa, Florida
On June 4, 2011, Charlie participated as the elder competitor and guest celebrity at the YTS Youth Triathlon event. His friend and fellow triathlete Jill Kralovanec's two kids, Sydney and Drew, were competing in the event, and Charlie has always liked to encourage youth sports.
Central Florida Duathlon Series #1 in Clermont, Florida
On May 14, 2011, Charlie became the first person over 90 years old to complete a USA-Triathlon sanctioned Duathlon with a time of 2:09:07 at the Central Florida Duathlon Series in Clermont, Florida. The race started at Waterfront Park with a 1-mile run, followed by a 10-mile bicycle lap around Lake Minneola and concluded with another 3-mile run.
Charlie would like to complete at least two more Duathlons this year to complement his 2011 triathlon accomplishments.
