Tri-athlete Phil has tilt at title

Tri-athlete Phil Buckley will be representing the GB over-60s

ATHLETICS:

VETERAN cyclist Phil Buckley will be joining two Oldham athletes competing for Great Britain at the World Championship Triathlon in Hungary.

But unlike youngsters Owen Mitchell (17) and Kieran Jackson (28), former beat bobby Phil will be representing an older age group in Budapest.

Phil (62) has been selected to represent Great Britain in the 60-65 age category, and is hoping to shrug off a knee injury before he jets off tomorrow to compete on Saturday.

There will be 13 competitors in his age group from the UK, and 24 more from America, Germany, Hungary Australia and Canada.

They will swim in the River Danube and run and cycle around the city.

Phil, who was a beat bobby for 25 years, retired from the force in 2003 and now works as an environmental enforcement officer with Oldham Council.

He was a competitive racing cyclist in his youth and after taking up triathlons, which involve swimming, running and a cycling, has lost four inches off his waist.

He has been helped by his son, Chris (31), and fellow members of Rochdale Triathlon Club, many 30 years his junior.

Phil said: “It has taken me three years to get back in shape after starting cycling again.

“I went for a bike ride with a neighbour and cyclist in her 40s. We started to ride up a tough two-mile climb at Blackstone Edge, Littleborough, towards Halifax. I was so unfit and overweight I had to walk up the hill!

“Now I can mix it with the younger ones and give them some pain.”

Fellow Rochdale Tri-Club member Kieran Jackson will compete in the 25-29 age group and Crompton House pupil Owen Mitchell will be in the under 20 section.