Triathlete Alf Lakin has sights on world championships for 85th birthday
From selling cars to swimming laps, meet the unstoppable octogenarian making waves who’s now diving into his 80s with a splash, training for the World Championship Triathlon in Wollongong.
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Alf Lakin, an 84-year-old retired car salesman, is defying age stereotypes as he prepares for the World Championship Triathlon in Wollongong this October.
What began as a casual attempt to try triathlon in his 70s has transformed into a passionate pursuit, with Lakin now aiming for gold in the 85-89 age group.
His enthusiasm belying his years Lakin said: “I don’t think of myself as an 84-year-old”.
His journey began nine years ago at the Southport Aquatic Centre on the Gold Coast, where he decided to try a triathlon class despite not knowing how to swim.
“I couldn’t swim, it’s harder than people think,” he laughs.
After initially struggling with a Kmart bike, Lakin upgraded to a racing bike and began competing in local events.
“I did all right,” he said, which led to sponsorships and his first World Championship in Cozumel, Mexico, with his doctor even covering his travel costs.
Lakin has since competed in seven world titles, travelling the globe and earning Australian medals.
“I absolutely love it,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of staying active he said “you’ve got to keep moving, I don’t care what, just go for a walk”.
His daily training regimen consists of 90 minutes of exercise, including swimming, cycling, and running.
“One day a week my coach will make me do all three in one day,” he said.
Coach Julie Roxaisy, who has been training Lakin for a decade, describes him as “amazing for 84”.
“He says I’m not doing this anymore I’m getting too old then asks where’s his program. Hilarious. He needs his program so he can plan his week.” Roxaisy said.
She designs a varied program for Lakin, incorporating long runs, bike rides, and “brick” workouts, which combine multiple disciplines. “Most days I give him two sports so he may do a long run then a walk in the evening or he does a run then a swim later on,” she said.
“He does the Park Run on a Saturday and he’s a bit of a legend in his local park run … I try to get him to rest on Sundays.”
Lakin is also a social media enthusiast, using platforms like Strava, Facebook, and Instagram to document his training.
“And he knows how to use hashtags – he’s freaking up there.” Roxaisy said.
His goal is to finish the race, and any medal would be a bonus.
“If I don’t win a medal I’m not going to worry about it because I won a gold by just finishing,” Lakin said.
Highlighting the importance of Lakin’s dedication, Roxaisy said either triathlon race is a “sizeable distance”, referring to the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, and 10km run of the standard distance triathlon, and the 750m swim, 20km cycle, and 5km run of the sprint distance.
“There’s still a few 80-somethings racing believe it or not, and some of them are pretty quick. Alf needs to finish and in a decent placing so yes he still has some work to do.” Roxaisy said.
Lakin’s wife, Karen, is also a runner, providing mutual support.
“They have a good shared hobby,” Roxaisy said.
“It just goes to show if you keep physically fit, you’re mentally fit as well. Don’t let anyone define you by your age,” Roxaisy said.
Although he can’t run, ride, or swim as well as he could ten years ago Lakin said it doesn’t matter.
“You see the older people walk along the street as if they’re going to drop dead. I don’t think of myself as an 84-year-old.
“I’m a person out enjoying my life.”
Got a news tip? Email catherine.piltz@news.com.au
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Originally published as Triathlete Alf Lakin has sights on world championships for 85th birthday
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