Local Fort Collins Man Attempts To Be The Oldest Man To Swim The English Channel

George Thornton was willing but the 21-mile stretch from southern England to northern France wasn't.  The 72 year old semi-retired psychology professor at Colorado State University, wanted to oust the previous record holder of 70.George and his team actually waited through his 2-week window but Mother Nature had other things planned and would not let the Iron Man take on the challenge.

He said that after taking care of a few family commitments he would be ready to start training and make another attempt next summer.

By the sounds of it though that is all George Thornton does is train.  He has been a swimmer all his life and has even competed in the Horsetooth 10K Swim not once but has done so the past 12 years.   Can you imagine swimming the entire length of Horsetooth at ANY age?

This swimming machine has also competed in 100 triathlons and 12 Ironman events over the past 20 years and trains by swimming 12-15 hours a day.

What a testimony to age and defying it.  George, I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say it's only a matter of time before you succeed.  Be it 73, 74 or 75...you will do it and Colorado will have the toughest swimmer in the world!