A RIBBLE Valley man is aiming to prove that age is no barrier to being an ironman.

Peter Slater, of Old Langho, will be competing against more than 2,000 athletes for the top spot in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October He last competed at the event 20 years ago, and at the age of 47, is determined to show he is fitter now than ever.

In 1990 Peter finished 118th out of 1,500 competitors. Now, he is hoping to better his time during one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer with 2.4 miles of swimming through tough ocean waves, 112 miles of biking, and a 26.2 mile marathon on challenging lava-covered terrain.

The marketing manager at Science In Sport, Brockhall Village, who lives with his wife Tanja, said: “I want to see if I can go further that I did 20 years ago.

"I am feeling quite confident as I understand my body better now and nutrition also plays a huge part.

“I want to see if I can push the boundaries and show that age does not have to be a limiting factor.”

To qualify for the contest Peter had to compete in a triathalon in Lanzarote last month and came 99th overall and 6th in his age group out of 1,500 competitors securing his place in Hawaii.

He said: “Lanzarote is renowned as the toughest Ironman race there is: hot, hilly and windy conditions that affect everyone in one way or another.

“I knew I would have to get as fit as I possibly could do to be in with any chance of having a good race and not suffer too much.

"As race day approached there is no doubting the fact that I was a little nervous, yet also excited.

“At the end of the race my legs were finally starting to give up.

“But as I handed my timing chip back and collected my unofficial results print out it meant I was Kona bound once again 20 years on.

“I still can’t quite believe it.”