Two Summerland neighbours finished the Osoyoos triathlon within a few seconds of each other, despite an age difference of almost 10 years.
Neil Croft finished first in the 50 to 54 age group with a time of 5:32:15 while Ken Cashion finished first in the 60 to 64 age group with a time of 5:32:45.
The men are neighbours but have different schedules so do not have the opportunity to train together.
In the two-kilometre swim, Croft exited the placid waters of Osoyoos Lake about 10 seconds ahead of Cashion.
Cashion wasted a frustrating minute in the bike transition as the velcro on his water bottle was not securely fastened on the areo bars.
“My water bottle fell twice as I was exiting the bike transition,” he said. “Wearing cycling gloves made it difficult to secure the velcro strap.”
The 90-kilometre bike course goes up Richter Pass and the athletes fought a strong head wind, in addition to the gruelling incline.
The two kept each other in sight as they cycled up to the Richter summit.
They were close enough to exchange greetings as they reached the summit and headed into Cawston.
After three hours of cycling, they returned to the bike transition within 15 seconds of each other.
The 21-kilometre run went around Osoyoos Lake.
“I was tired of looking at the back of Ken’s head,” Croft said.
In the last kilometre, Croft gained a few seconds on his neighbour and crossed the finish line to place first in the age group 50 to 54.
Cashion was on his heels and finished a few seconds later, also securing the first position, but in the men’s age group 60 to 64.
Both have their sights on The Challenge Triathlon at the end of August. Cashion did the Ironman in 2011 and he is wanting to do the Challenge as a celebration of the 60th birthday milestone.