AGE is no barrier for 50-year-old Kenny Roberts.

Pipe and slippers are firmly on the back-burner for the former Cainscross rugby player, who has landed a place at the World Triathlon Championships in Chicago this September and the European Championships in Lisbon next year.

The Stroud AC athlete secured his coveted places on the world stage after winning the Nottingham Sprint Triathlon in the 50-54 age group.

He said: “It was thrilling to win the Nottingham Sprint Triathlon after a promising start to the season by placing third in my age group at the British Championships at St. Neots in Cambridge at the start of May.

“This was encouraging as more illustrious triathletes of the calibre of Andy Shipton and Gary Hughes have won their age groups at these championships. Andy went on to take a silver medal at the 2011 World Championship in Beijing ,where I finished seventh.”

To keep in tip-top shape, the former Archway pupil puts himself through a gruelling training schedule, which includes yoga to improve his core strength.

He added: “Training 15-20 hours a week for the last five years has hopefully put me in a strong position to challenge for a podium spot in Chicago.

“My cycling and running can usually put me in first or second position nationally and I am indebted to Dursley Road Cycle Club’s TT races and running coach Chris Frapwell at Stroud Athletic Club.”

His busy schedule continues this weekend at the Deva Standard Distance Tri at Chester as he aims to qualify for the longer distance double sprint at the World and European Championships.