Marathon runner Joe Garcia, 70, focusing on Ironman triathlon

Running 26.2 miles in just under 3 hours and 30 minutes is no longer enough for Joe Garcia.

The 70-year-old St. Albert man is attempting to qualify for the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Hawaii by finishing first for his age group in two upcoming races.

You want to be a competitor, you have to go harder than the other guys, Garcia said.

I don't want to be a tourist, I want to be a contender."

Garcia already has the running part down pat. He has run the Boston Marathon twice, finishing second in his age group.

Marathon running came later to him in life. He ran his first 26.2 mile race at 49.

Garcia says he eats well and trains every day.

I'm now more or less addicted to it, he said. I cannot go a day without doing some activity, some physical activity."

Garcias first qualifying race is this weekend in Baltimore.