The Long Run

Michael Kimpton turned a five-kilometre parkrun into a passport to the world’s toughest races.

Most retirees who make the move to the Whitsundays choose a relaxed lifestyle, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere. But for local Michael Kimpton, retirement was just the warmup lap.

In his 60s, Michael decided he needed a challenge, and that challenge was to complete his first-ever triathlon. Since his debut event in 2017 on Hamilton Island, he has become a local legend, competing in the World Ironman Championships twice, the World Half Ironman Championships three times, and other World Triathlon events. He’s also become President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club and Event Director of the Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival.

Michael and his wife Val moved to Airlie Beach from Melbourne in 2016 to escape the chilly, wet winters and trade them for glorious blue skies and stunning scenery.

Desiring a challenge and after chatting with a friend, Michael was introduced to the Airlie Beach Parkrun, a five-kilometre run starting at Coral Sea Marina and along the boardwalk.

Michael recalls saying, “Five kilometres! That will kill me, mate! I’m lucky to run across the road.”

But after six months of training and a few injuries, he tackled the Parkrun.

The event inspired him to start triathlon training. “At my age, running will bust me up,” he said. “I should cross-train with something else.” A former surfer, Michael already had strong swimming skills. He picked up a pushbike, and soon he was training across all three disciplines.

None of this came easily. At 23, Michael was commuting home from his desk job in the city Melbourne when he was involved in a serious motorbike accident. He suffered permanent nerve damage to his left leg (requiring skin grafts) and lost a large portion of his left calf muscle. He also developed kidney failure and spent six weeks on dialysis. Left with broken bones and severe nerve damage, he had to learn to walk again. He spent over six months in hospital and rehabilitation.

In November 2017, the Hamilton Island Triathlon was coming up. Now experienced in swimming, cycling and running, Michael signed up. The course may have been short, but its steep hills made it brutal. From that moment on, he was hooked. The following year, he completed Olympic-distance triathlons in Mackay, Townsville, and Melbourne.

An Olympic distance triathlon includes a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and a 10-kilometre run.

In 2019, his next challenge came calling: his first half Ironman. He completed the 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre cycle and 21.1-kilometre run, having trained for most of 2017 and all of 2018. Just months later, he competed again in Cairns, this time winning his age group (65-69) and earning a spot at the 2019 World Championships in Nice, France.

In 2021, he stepped up to the ultimate endurance test: the full Ironman, comprising a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180-kilometre ride and 42.2-kilometre marathon. Over the next few years, he completed six Ironmans, including events in Cairns, South Africa and Kona, Hawaii. His performance in South Africa in 2025 qualified him for the prestigious Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, this September.

Michael Kimpton’s personal achievements are exceptional, but what he’s done for the Airlie Beach community is even more far-reaching.

In 2022, he was appointed President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club. That same year, the future of the Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival was in doubt, but Michael and Val saved it from dying. Since then, the festival has grown into a thriving Event and one of the most unique and popular triathlons on Australia’s sporting calendar.

Looking ahead to September, Michael is proud and excited to have been invited to the Ironman World Championship in Nice, France.

Best Triathlon Tips

“I concentrate on where I am at that moment.”

“If I'm swimming, I say Mick, just concentrate on your stroke, on the swimming, and on your breathing.”

“Don't think about the end of the day.”

“Just concentrate on what the hell you're doing at that moment, preserve the energy, and conserve your energy as much as you can.”

“Most of it is mindgames, so think positive thoughts!”

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