Swimmer Anthony Sepie (76), cyclist Ray Bennet (77) and runner Stan Gawler (80) will line up for another attempt at the Challenge Wanaka ironman triathlon today, attempting to extend their world record as the oldest team to complete a long-distance triathlon.
Competing alongside them as an individual will be Auckland real estate company director Garth Barfoot (73), who has become a benefactor to his septuagenarian triathlon colleagues.
Barfoot will sponsor the team at Challenge Roth in Germany - a sister event to the Wanaka endurance race - provided they finish today's race within 16 hours 30 minutes.
The veteran trio should not be daunted by the challenge, as they completed the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run in Wanaka last year in 14hr 33min.
Sepie will start the swim from the Lake Wanaka foreshore at 7am today, alongside the 165 individual competitors and two hours ahead of the other team swimmers.
His earlier start time comes as a concession from the race organisers after last year, when then 79-year-old runner Stan Gawler had to battle through the last stages of a marathon in the dark.
"I couldn't see a thing running through those forest trails," he said.
He finished the race about midnight, and was thrilled to see a crowd of sparkler-waving spectators lighting up the Wanaka lakefront for the three athletes as they crossed the line together.
