Britain’s Triathlon Master, Donald Brooks, Defies Age with Continued Success

Donald Brooks, a triathlete, has secured titles across various distances, from sprint to Ironman. He states, “Because I’m achieving what I’m achieving at the age I am I think it inspires people when they’re taking the sport up in their 30’s or early 40’s.” Brooks adds, “You can achieve great stuff at that age, you’re not past it, there’s still more to be had out there.” The 47-year-old has established himself as one of the leading Masters triathletes globally. Brooks began participating in the sport only a decade ago, yet he has accumulated 11 British age group championships across different distances, 10 European age group titles, and nine world championships, which include the two most recent world Ironman titles. Speaking to BBC South West, the Teignmouth-based athlete remarked, “It’s a very addictive sport – you start small and then you’re looking for the next event.” He continued, “You’re looking for the next thing you can enter, the different distances. I went from the sprint distance and I did my first Ironman or full distance triathlon only at the end of 2015.” Brooks further explained his progression: “I knew myself I wasn’t ready for it at that point, and I did OK at it, but I knew there was more to explore, so I put that on the back burner and concentrated on the standard distance, which is what we do at the Olympics.” He added, “Then I moved onto the half-Ironman, which for me is around about a four-hour race, and I did that for a few years – I didn’t get back into doing a full distance race until probably about 2021-2022, so I’ve only gone back into the full distance recently.” Donald Brooks entered triathlon after previously participating in swimming and underwater hockey. The full distance Ironman competition comprises a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and concludes with a 26.2-mile marathon. Last month, at the most recent World Championship held in Hawaii, considered the sport’s traditional origin, he not only secured the age group championship but also placed 41st overall. This achievement involved surpassing 12 professional athletes and ranking among the top five out of 2,300 qualified amateur competitors. Brooks commented, “To be doing that at my age is a good testament to my fitness.” He further noted, “But I think coming into the sport at a later stage I’m not picking up a lot of the injuries that some people are picking up, especially with their lower limb running injuries.” However, injury prevention represents only one factor contributing to Brooks’ achievements. His background as a swimmer and underwater hockey player has fostered strong lung capacity, which has benefited his aerobic fitness. His VO2 max score, an indicator of aerobic capability, ranges from 70 to 75. This measurement exceeds by 20 points what is typically categorized as “excellent” for an individual in his age bracket. Brooks, who manages 18-20 hours of weekly training alongside operating his own business, stated, “I think you have to have a natural talent, which I have, but you also have to be very disciplined with your training, your nutrition, your routine and just consistency of the training.” He added, “You have to put a lot of miles in, you go out in a lot of bad weather.” He also mentioned, “It’s just getting that session done and consistency, and if you can share that with friends and other people it can be very social – coffee rides are always great fun.” Brooks concluded this point by saying, “But it’s the hours you put in that pay dividends really.” Regarding his ongoing motivation despite numerous victories, Brooks shared, “My friend says you’re riding a wave, and you don’t know how long that wave’s going to last, so keep riding it until you fall off.” He further elaborated, “Whilst I’m winning, and whilst I’m enjoying it more so, I’ll keep going and keep trying.” Brooks concluded, “But when it becomes more of a chore and I’m not enjoying it, then that’ll be the time to stop.”