Untitled Document
 Last
Sunday, a British grandpa named Arthur Gilbert set a new world record. He
completed his 41st triathlon and became the
oldest triathlete in the world!
So, how old is Mr. Gilbert? Don’t be surprised. He is 91 years
old! But he is as strong and healthy as a 20-year-old
man.
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. It usually involves swimming,
cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances.
The word “triathlon” is of Greek origin meaning “three contests.”
The world’s oldest triathlete completed a 500-meter swim, followed by a 20-kilometer
bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run. It took Mr. Gilbert 31 minutes and
54 seconds to complete the swim, one hour 11 minutes and eight seconds
to cycle the 20 kilometers, and 59 minutes and 20 seconds for the
run.
 Triathlons
are very hard to complete even for young, healthy men. But how could
the 91-year-old grandpa do it? Mr. Gilbert says regular exercise is his secret. He goes swimming
at his local pool every morning.
He also goes to the gym twice a week. He enjoys cycling
every Sunday, too.
“It was really tough. As the years go by,
it gets harder and harder,” he said after the race. “But you have to do it before you
get too old. We had lovely weather and the crowds were so supportive.”
Mr. Gilbert, who worked at the Westland helicopter plant, was recognized
as the world’s oldest triathlete in December last year by The World
Records Academy when he completed his 40th triathlon.
This year, he completed his 41st one successfully again. Let’s
wait and see if he will do it again next year. Keep up your training, Mr.
Gilbert! |
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