Winner of 90+ Age Group, World Triathlon Grand Final
By Jean Lawrence
For The Elmhurst Independent
A triathlon is a multi-sport athletic endeavor that only a small percentage of the population ever undertakes, regardless of their age. Yet at age 90 ½, Bob McKeague of Villa Park, who is active in the Elmhurst community, competed in the International Triathlon Union’s World Championships on September 17 and placed first in the 90+ year old age group.
The event was held in Chicago’s Grant Park and included a half-mile swim in Lake Michigan opposite Buckingham Fountain, followed by a 15-mile bike ride and 3-mile run, both on Columbus Drive. Those distances are considered a “sprint” triathlon, while “Olympic” or “international” triathlons are about double that distance.
Bob typically finishes a sprint-distance triathlon in about two hours but in this case, took about two hours and 20 minutes due to long transition zones, which were somewhat offset by a speedy bike pace of about 19 miles per hour. He was one of 6,500 of the world’s best triatheletes to compete for world titles over four days of competition.
He estimates he has completed about 140 triathlons in the past 30 years, including a World Championship Ironman ten years ago in Hawaii that spanned a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. He came in first place in the 80+ age group for his Ironman. His wife Marianne accompanied him on the trip to Hawaii and attends many of his local races.
“I did my first triathlon in 1984 and I do about four each year, sometimes more,” he said. “I’ve done International Triathlon Union World Championships twice in Cancun and once in Canada and also nationals in the US. In the last ten years I’ve done more local races in places like Bloomington and Valparaiso and I find that the local races are more fun. I know a lot of people and it’s like old home week.”
Before getting interested in triathlons, Bob played golf, swam at pools or lakes on family vacations, and snow-skied.
“I never did anything very organized,” he said. “But when I was 57 years old, I started looking for something to carry me into my retirement years. I saw a 10K race go past our house in Villa Park and that started me off. I did a marathon or two in Chicago and got tired of just running so I started triathlons when I was 62.”
Preferring to work out in groups, Bob has never had a coach. Currently a member of the Elmhurst Bike Club, the Elmhurst Running Club and the Elmhurst Multi-Sport Club, he likes to bike and run on the Prairie Path. He is also a member of the Elmhurst YMCA, where he enjoys swimming in the pool and biking and running on treadmills.
Bob’s favorite aspects of the triathlon have changed over the years.
“I used to like running the most when I felt like I could run like a gazelle,” he said. “But now I like the bike portion the best. You can pedal and then coast a little.”
Any advice to those who aspire to be as fit as he is at age 90?
“Do what you can do, and keep on doing it! The only reason I can keep doing this is that I have good genes and I just never stopped. Not everyone is as fortunate to have good knees and hips and overall health. I enjoy the sense of camaraderie and I have a sense of competition. My love of competition drives me to do as well as I can.”
