Oldest triathletes

Don’t look now but there’s two 90 year-olds who are still doing the sport they love best, triathlon.  Charlie Futrell and John Taylor are believed to be the oldest triathletes in the world.  Futrell will turn 92 in August while Taylor will be 91 in May.  Futrell who live in Atlanta made his Ironman Kona debut at 72 in 1992, the first of six consecutive participation with a best time of 15:35:23. He was a star baseball player at East Corolina Teachers College (now East Carolina University) from 1938-41 and is enshrined in the school’s Athletics Hall of fame.  He served as U.S Air Force physical training instructor  during World War II.  He began a career in Maryland as a high school teacher who coached baseball, basketball, football and soccer.  And guess who was one of his students? A young Sylvester Stallone.  Due to constant exposure to the sun, Futrell has been treated for skin cancer.  His first wife died from Melanoma.  Despite his age, he still averages one triathlon (mostly sprints) or duathlon a month.  He also has a rotator cliff injury that forces him at times  to flip over on his back during the swim.  On the other hand, Taylor who is from Orlando, Florida has endured a left knee replacement but said he intends to race till he’s 100.  Taylor spent most of his time preaching and teaching serving 45 years as a pastor of various churches.  He earned his Ph.D in journalism at age 75 and was a late bloomer in triathlon making his debut only in 1981, at age 60. Taylor was married for 52 years before losing his wife to cancer in  1998. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, these two triathletes couldn’t ask for more.  A heart specialist recently told the two 90 year-olds, that they got a heart of 55 year-old athletes.  Move over Arland!

Big jump

It  was in 2009 when I coached a group of first timers to the Standard Chartered  Hong Kong Marathon.  The group included the Guardo brothers, Joel Garganera and Allan Delantar.  Since then, these guys have improved tremendously.  Atan and Joel have finished 100km ultramarathons while Allan who was a DNF in his first attempt in the marathon, is now closing in on a sub 5-hour record.  I remember Allan being ferried to the finish line in an ambulance  after suffering cramps  in the first 15 kilometers.  In his second attempt, Allan was almost included in a group of last finishers, clocking over 8 hours in the Standard Chartered  Singapore Marathon.  I’m glad my students are beating their teachers.  Keep up the good work! 

Masters and seniors athletics ASSN

 NCR- Masters and Seniors Atletics Association of the Philippines prexy Manny Ibay has appointed yours truly, president of the association’s counter-part in the Visayas.  Soon I’ll be naming the officers of the Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Visayas (MSAAV).  I’ve contacted former, 1600m natonal record holder Rudy Fernandez and Boyet Rentoy to take care of Panay.  I’m also looking at former field standout Manuel De Oro and Dr. Bob Ledesma to call the shots for Negros Occidental.  Meanwhile, more masters have signified their intentions of joining the first NCR-Masters and Seniors Athletics Championship that fires off on March 16-17 at the Ultra in Pasig City.  The latest addition are Merlita Arias, Al Geyrozaga and Lerma Binaoro who will be joining  our team composed of Dr. Abe Manlawe, Cynthia Arnaiz, Honor Corpin, Ruth Banzon, Edward Beronia, Babette Capangpangan, Rening Ylaya and Bert Banzon.