A TAVISTOCK resident last weekend successfully completed the Virgin Active London Triathlon — part of a team of three brothers whose ages total 191!

Derek De Glanville was part of Team Dee Gee, joining his brothers for the relay sprint event last Saturday in London's Docklands area, raising money for the Alzheimer's Society.

Aged at 66, 64 and 61, they are proof that age should not be a barrier to exercise and that fitness can continue for people in their sixties and beyond Alzheimer's.

As part of the sprint triathlon team event, the brothers faced a 750m swim, a 20k bike ride and 5k run.

Derek, 66, completed the swimming section of the event. He said: 'It was pretty tough, you all start at the same time, so you have to fight to get away.

'I've been training for about six months, but nothing prepares you for the mayhem of all these other people thrashing around in the water with you!'

Derek said the Olympic distances for the triathlon were held on Sunday.

'I think the Virgin London Triathlon is one of the biggest in the world — it was great to be part of it.'

Derek said Team Dee Gee came 80th out of around 160 competitors.

'For three old geezers, we were pretty chuffed!' said Derek.

'We were by far the oldest team, by a good 20 years — most of them were corporate teams, in their 20s, 30s or 40s.

'We were pretty elated, it's quite an achievement — I just wish they'd split us into age groups.'

Derek's brother Michael, 64, did the run section of the event, while Chris, 61, did the bike ride.

The team has raised around £1,400 for the Alzheimer's Society through their efforts.

Chris said: 'We have all experienced a parent or parent in law affected by Alzheimer's which resulted in years of care being needed for our loved-ones.

'This charity is so close to our hearts.'

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of Dementia, affecting around 465,000 people in the UK today. This disease is becoming more and more of a problem as more people live longer.

The London Triathlon brought all three brothers together from all parts of the country and even across a continent to compete. Chris lives near Chipping Norton, and Michael resides in Cyprus.

Anyone who would like to donate to Team Dee Gee's charity effort should go to http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-de-Glanville">http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-de-Glanville