MALCOLM Whitehead will tackle his first triathlon this weekend at the age of 73.
The retired postman is a keen runner and decided to do the three-discipline event after watching his son, Stuart, compete in events.
The Heaton father and son will take on the South Manchester Sprint Triathlon on Sunday which will incorporate a 400-metre pool swim, 15-mile bike ride and a 6.4k run.
Malcolm, who has been an active runner for the last 17 years and has completed the London Marathon three times and the Great North Run seven times, said of branching out into triathlon: "I've always been interested in running and wanted to try cycling to see if I liked it.
"I was instantly bitten by the bug so to speak and thought if I could learn how to swim I could complete a triathlon as I always come to watch Stuart at his events.
"I've no special target for the triathlon, just to complete it!"
Stuart, aged 42 and a manager of neurosurgery at Salford Royal Hospital, is a member of the Tri-Rivington club while Malcolm, who worked as a postman for postman the Bolton Royal Mail for 37 years and now works for a furniture manufacturing company part-time between training, is not a member of a club as yet.
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