Thursday, December 29, 2011

  Oldest triathlete: Arthur Gilbert sets world record

Burnham-on-Sea, UK -- Super-fit pensioner Arthur Gilbert, 90, has taken part in 40 triathlons, which are made up of a 500 metre swim, a 12-mile bike ride and a three-mile run; he is now in training for his 41st , setting the world record for the Oldest triathlete, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com) .

  Photo: Arthur Gilbert, The World's Oldest triathlete. ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the Oldest volunteer was set by Violet Robbins, who is a volunteer at the Prince of Wales Hospital, in Randwick, Sydney Australia, aged 107 years 11 months 25 days, as of 22 February 2010.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the oldest competitive wakeboarder, set by Linda Brown, aged 63 yr 227 days when she competed in the Battle of Bull Run Wakeboard Tournament, Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, United States.

  Awarded an MBE for his charity work over 35 years, he was also sent a letter by Prince Charles congratulating him on his previous triathlons and wishing him luck in future races.

  Mr Gilbert, currently in training for his next triathlon in April when he will be aged 91, started running in earnest during the 1980s but has entered races since the 70s.

  The granddad, from Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, attributes his extraordinary stamina to living a stress-free life, giving blood - and eating lots of bananas.

  'The secret is staying stress-free, being happy, doing charity work and being positive.

  'I don't drink or smoke and have regular check-ups. I also have a very balanced diet with lots of fruit for breakfast which helps tremendously - I love nuts and bananas.

  'Some of it is down to giving blood. The old blood goes out, the new comes in to replace it and rejuvenates you.
   'I've donated 45 pints of blood altogether since I was 51 and only stopped because I reached the age limit. People think it decreases your performance in life but it doesn't.

  The 90-year-old does find some time to take it easy - despite going to the gym three times a week, cycling 25 miles on Sundays and swimming 50 lengths of his local pool every day.

  'I have to work really hard at keeping fit. Being disciplined and going out and doing it even when you don't feel like it is the key to success. 'The training is the hardest part and it's almost a relief at the finishing line.'

Related world records:  
Oldest marathon runner: Fauja Singh (Video)

Most star jumps in one minute: Joey McFarland sets world record

Largest piggy back race: History Maker Foundation sets world record

Highest Running Box Jump: Ryan Moody (Video)

Fastest marathon by a linked team: Manhattan men

Most consecutive days running an ultra marathon: Andy McMenemy (HD Video)

Fastest marathon wearing a gas mask: Staff Sgt. Marc Dibernardo

Fastest 100 x 5 km relay: The Charlotte Running Club

Heaviest Person to Complete a Marathon: Kelly Gneiting (Video)

Fastest running nonagenarian: 95-Year-Old Ida Keeling (Video)

Most marathons run on consecutive days: Stefaan Engels

Fastest running centenarian: Miyazaki Hidekichi

Most consecutive push-ups: wrestler Munir Ahmed

Fastest Human Crab Walker: Cameron Jones

Oldest female marathon finisher: Gladys Burrill

Largest Resistance Band Class: Sheraton New York

Most marathons in a year: Yolanda Holder

Largest physical education class: Ga. students

Most fitness records broken in a day: Stephen Buttler

Longest distance run in 365 days: Serge Girard

Fastest Mile in a Bomb Suit: SSG Eric Johnson

Longest distance run in seven days on a treadmill: Mimi Anderson

Fastest Lunge Mile: Jamasen Rodriguez

11 marathons in 11 days : Kalyn Jolivette

Fastest mile in a bomb suit: SSgt Owen Duff

Youngest coach of an Olympic women's marathon winner: Valeriu Tomescu

Oldest Olympic women's marathon winner: Constantina Dita

Longest Non-stop walking hill marathon: Emil Ilic

Fastest 10K race: Hillary Kimaiyo

Highest Standing Box Jump: Ryan Moody

Fastest mile in a bomb suit: Lt. Jonathan Kehoe

Longest solo run around US perimeter: Reza Balunchi

Thursday, December 29, 2011