“When I got my health education degree my concern was how I was going to educate people to revive their bodies. Triathlon helps me show them it’s possible.”
— John C. Taylor W
hen it comes to the oldest rivalries in triathlon, nobody can touch the spirited competition between Charlie Futrell and John C. Taylor. They’ve only known each other for about 12 years, not nearly as long as some pro triathletes in their 30s. But in a sport defined by endurance, they’ve endured longer than everyone. Though detailed records are not kept, Futrell and
Taylor are believed to be the two oldest people to complete a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. Futrell, who turned 91 on Aug. 9, is nine months older than Taylor, who celebrated his 90th birthday in May.
“Charlie and I come from a generation of people who believe you can’t improve after a certain age and that you’re destined to deteriorate quickly,” Taylor says. “What we’ve found is that you can improve your heart, brain, blood pressure and mind long after you’ve hit 70.” The two speak regularly, both to each other and to groups wanting to hear about their secrets to longevity. They live about seven hours apart — Taylor in Atlanta, Futrell north of Orlando — and for years have competed in many of the same Florida triathlons.
They each claimed victories over the
other during the 2000s at the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg and at various sprint races in Clermont. These days they limit themselves to the sprint distance, one of the few concessions they make to age. Futrell has a rotator cuff injury that forces him at times to flip over on his back during the swim and perform a modified backstroke. Since he relies on prescription eyeglasses to see, he usually has a kayaker guide him along the swim. Taylor has endured a left knee replacement and could use one in his right. The knees don’t bother him, nor does his back in day-to-day life or in anything other than the run. Unfortunately, the back pain has become excruciating in recent races.
Cleave Frink
USATRIATHLON.ORG USA TRIATHLON 59
“I’m toying with the idea of quitting unless I can get someone to straighten me out,” Taylor says. “It puzzles the doctors. If we can handle the pain in just the run, I’ll continue to race into my 100s. Otherwise I’ll focus on cycling and swimming events.” Futrell and Taylor got into triathlon later in life, of course, since they were in their late 50s when the Hawaii Ironman debuted in 1978. Though behind as triathletes, they had impressive backgrounds in health and fitness.
Futrell was a star baseball player at East Carolina
Teachers College (now East Carolina University) from 1938-41 and is in the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. During World War II, he served as a U.S. Air Force physical training instructor. After a brief stint playing minor league baseball, he began a long career in Maryland as a high school teacher who also coached baseball, basketball, football and soccer. Among his
Bud Frankenthaler
John C. Taylor, right, made his triathlon debut in 1981 at age 60 and hopes to continue competing into his 100s.
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