Del ataque de pánico al podio: hombre de South Lake Tahoe, de 60 años, gana un lugar en las finales mundiales de triatlón

Ron Yerkes, a 60-year-old resident of South Lake Tahoe, California, is preparing to represent the United States at the 2026 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain, this September. The event, often described as the Olympics of amateur triathlon, will feature a Parade of Nations and an Opening Ceremony, bringing together elite athletes from around the globe.

Yerkes’ journey into triathlon began a decade ago with a mix of peer pressure and personal challenge. After a difficult first race, where he experienced a panic attack during the swim leg, he persisted, returning annually to the Tahoe Triathlon.

His determination paid off when he eventually won his age group. Over the years, the sport evolved from a fun experiment into a serious commitment to health and longevity.

Training six days a week, Yerkes frequents the South Lake Tahoe recreation center for swimming and weightlifting. He also runs on school tracks, along lakeside paths, and swims in Lake Tahoe.

He has qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships four times, a stepping stone to earning a spot on Team USA for the world championship. "I never thought I would have gotten to this point," Yerkes said.

"But it's been a lot of work."

Yerkes is drawn to the challenge of mastering three disciplines—swimming, cycling, and running—despite having no formal athletic background in any of them. He balances his intense training with a mindset focused on fun.

"I think the other part of it is to have the attitude that you're just out to have fun," he said. "When people lose that perspective, it can become stressful, and then they'll avoid it."

He encourages others considering a triathlon to start slowly, train with a friend, and say "yes" to the opportunity. "My own experience is we're capable of way more than we think, and you just have to get out there and try," he added.

Yerkes’ participation highlights the growing popularity of endurance sports among older athletes and underscores the vibrant community in South Lake Tahoe that supports such achievements. As he gears up for the world championship, he remains a testament to perseverance and the power of setting ambitious goals later in life.