The 2013 Cycling Australia Masters Track National Championships from April 9-13 has brought mature cyclists from across the country to Midvale.
Brian ‘Flying Kilo’ Kennedy is one of the three M10s (cyclists aged from 75-80) and has signed up for every race of the competition.
Mr Kennedy fell in love with cycling at 10 years of age.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘I chose cycling because I was looking for a sport to play during the footy off-season and wasn’t any good at |cricket,’ he said.
After leaving a locomotive steam fitter apprenticeship with the Midland Railway Company in 1956, Mr Kennedy moved to Melbourne to pursue a professional cycling career.
‘I started off track racing for big money,’ he said. ‘Back then the basic weekly wage was $25, and we were competing two or three times a week at $200 a race.’
Mr Kennedy was named Senior of the Year 2010 in the community category for his fundraising with Balya Retreat in Gidgegannup, a support camp he stayed at while fighting cancer.
‘I believe you should be the best you can with what you’re given,’ he said.
‘I’ve been through the mill, but I’m on the other side now and I believe if you give in to life’s setbacks then you’re as good as lost.’
With 15 marathons, two masters world swimming championships, silver at the 1980 World Triathlon Championships and many more athletic achievements under his belt, at 79 Mr Kennedy sees the 2013 cycling masters simply as an opportunity to socialise and have fun racing.
‘I’ve lived a full life from sport and am truly happy,’ he said.
The Cycling Australia Masters Track National Championships finish today with time trials and a wrap-up function to present the Champion of Champions jersey.