82-Year Old Bob Gralley to Begin Training for Columbia Triathlon; He Will be Event’s Oldest Ever Participant. Oak Crest retirement community resident Bob Gralley – age 82 — will take a VO2 Max Assessment on Wednesday, March 26th at Total Performance in Lutherville, MD to prepare for his record-setting participation in the upcoming Columbia Triathlon in Howard County, MD.

Gralley will be the oldest participant ever in the annual event, which will be held this year on Sunday, May 18th. Gralley, who has run more than 47,000 miles in his lifetime during his competitive running career, will be a member of an Erickson Retirement Communities Relay Team and will participate with Erickson employees half his age.

Gralley has been a competitive runner for decades. “Bob Gralley’s participation in the Columbia Triathlon demonstrates the connection of people within the Erickson team who share the same interest, passion and excitement for a commitment to fitness and wellness,” said Debra Doyle, executive vice president for Erickson.

Members from the Erickson Relay Team knew Gralley was an active, competitive runner and they approached him with the idea of joining the team. “He was more than happy to be a part,” said Erickson senior vice president of operations, Kerry Jones, himself a competitive runner. “Bob is a role model for people of all ages.”

Amen to that, though I never had the stamina for this type of thing when I was young, much less at my current age. We will let you know how he does. So, what’s you greatest accomplishment at an older age?

Here’s another picture of Bob on the treadmill….all I can say is “wow”.