Westward Ho! octogenarian seeks gold at Australian Aquathlon Championship

A Westward Ho! woman is prepared to defy age and compete for gold at this year's World Aquathlon Championship in Australia.

But 80-year-old Peggy Keenor-Crome is not your average retiree and has stood on the winners’ podium at triathlons 32 times and brought home gold 18 times for Great Britain, despite not taking up the sport until the age of 40.

Instead, she's gearing up for an extraordinary challenge - representing Great Britain at the 2024 World Aquathlon Championship in Townsville, Australia and her friend, Gigha Klinkenborg has launched a crowdfunder to help cover the costs. 

The 2024 World Triathlon Multisport World Championships span 12 days, featuring 19 world championship races across five athlete levels. 

This event, the largest sporting spectacle in Townsville's history, will draw 4,500 competitors to North Queensland from more than 50 countries.

Peggy will compete in the aquathlon 80-plus female category that will see her race against others in two legs featuring a 1,000m swim and a 5k run.

Born on a farm in mid Devon, Peggy's competitive spirit was ignited from an early age.

As one of seven children, Peggy grew up in a household that fostered a spirit of healthy competition.

Her introduction into athletics began in the early 1980s, at the age of 40, when Peggy decided to challenge herself by taking up marathon running.

However, her path was not without its hurdles. 

During her time as a teacher in Exeter at the age of 39 she was notorious for her heavy smoking habit, going through 20 to 30 cigarettes a day. 

In Peggy's own words, she used to "smoke like a train!"

It was during this time that a conversation with a colleague, a marathon runner, planted the seed of inspiration.

"I asked him at lunchtime one day, 'How long does it take to train to run a marathon?' Everyone laughed because of my smoking habit," Peggy said.

"But something in me was triggered, and I knew I had to make a change."

With determination and grit, Peggy gradually weaned herself off cigarettes and embarked on her journey into endurance sports.

At age 39, she found herself unable to run even 100 to 200 yards without gasping for breath. Determined to improve, she set a goal to run a few miles to and from her home. Through consistent effort, she gradually regained her fitness.

Through these jogging sessions, she slowly built up her stamina, eventually completing her first marathon between Tiverton and the M5 before its completion. 

From there, Peggy's passion for endurance sports only grew. 

In the early 1980s, she transitioned to triathlons, eager to embrace a new challenge. 

As one of the few female competitors in the sport at the time, Peggy was a trailblazer, pushing boundaries and shattering stereotypes with each race she entered.

"In those days, women competitors were few and far between," Peggy explained.

"But if men could do it, I believed I could too."

Over the years, Peggy's hard work and dedication have paid off, earning her numerous accolades and titles both in Great Britain and on the world stage. 

At the age of 80, Peggy is the most decorated age group female athlete in her country and beyond.

Her journey to the World Aquathlon Championship, however, comes with its own set of challenges. 

With significant financial hurdles, including travel expenses, registration fees, and accommodation, Peggy’s friend has created a Crowdfunding page to help make her dream a reality.

The goal has been set to a £500 target, but the total cost is expected to be more than £3,000. 

"I'm a bit embarrassed about it because I don't do stuff like that," Peggy admitted, "but my friends have rallied behind me, raising funds to help cover the costs."

Guided by her friend and coach, Penny, a retired doctor and former world champion residing in Edinburgh, Peggy continues to train rigorously.

With a tailored training regimen focusing on swimming, cycling, running, and strength conditioning, Peggy has remained in peak physical condition, ready to take on the world's best athletes in her age group of 80-plus. 

Since beginning her competitive journey at the age of 40, Peggy has achieved 18 Race Wins, receiving Gold, and stood on the race podium 32 times. 

Among her recent accomplishments is her participation in the 2023 Europe Triathlon Aquathlon Championships in Menen on August 25, 2023, where she competed in the 80-84 Female Age Group category. 

In this event, with water temperatures ranging from 20.3°C to 21.7°C (wetsuit), Peggy completed the race with impressive results: 1000m swim, 5km run, T2 transition, finishing in first place with a total time of 01:12:15, thereby taking home the gold for Great Britain.

As Peggy gears up for the late August competition, she's reaching out to those who may feel discouraged by age and unable to participate in athletics. 

She encourages them, saying: "Many people underestimate their abilities. I advise starting with a gentle jog and transitioning to power walking when needed. When I faced difficulties, I reassured myself that improvement was possible.”

Peggy’s fundraiser can be found here: 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-for-peggy