SEVENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Fred Schneider had the respect of competitors and the crowd when he completed the Dirt N Dust triathlete on Saturday.
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The Charters Towers man ranked 100th when he finished with a time of 1:58:40.
Schneider’s swim time was 23:07, his cycling time was 1:00:17 and his run time was 35:16.
The triathlete acknowledged swimming was his weakest section in the triathlete and it had been this way since he began the sport about 20 years ago.
He said he lost rhythm because he was placed in the earlier wave of triathletes this year, likely so he could get across the line faster.
Schneider has consistently signed up for the tough Julia Creek based triathlon – known for its rigorous conditions –the past 12 years.
He intends on continuing the sport as long as he can.
“I just like to keep fit, it’s my claim to fame,” Schneider said.
“It’s always a good conversation piece.
“I get friends and am getting invited to parties – that’s only a joke but it does happen.”
Isa Rats member Rosina Oliver, 74, said she felt better completing the race this year because the conditions were not so tough.
The day’s maximum temperature was a little cooler than it was in previous years; 36.4 degrees.
“It wasn’t quite as windy, it’s been worse than that,” Oliver said.
She intended on racing at Dirt N Dust in the years to come.
“Even if I have to crawl,” Oliver said.