FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — An 80-year-old South Florida man is taking on a race most athletes half his age — and what he hopes to gain goes far beyond the finish line.

David Freeman is training for the Hyrox competition in Paris this October, a grueling race that combines nearly five miles of running with eight strength-based exercises.

“You got this, you got this, you got this,” Freeman encourages himself during workouts. “You got this, come on, come on, go for it, finish strong!”

“I’m 80 …” Freeman said. “Regrettably that’s what my license says. I was blessed with good genes and good hair and stuff like that.”

At his age, most people slow down, but Freeman has no plans to ease up. Inside Legacy Fit, his trainer, Christian Vitagliano, pushes him five days a week.

“He’s got that dog in him, he’s got that fight!” Vitagliano said.

“Show them how it’s done, show them something they haven’t seen before,” Vitagliano adds during sessions.

Freeman admitted the workouts are tough.

“He’s made it pretty tough on me,” he said. When asked if it’s a love-hate relationship, he responded, “Yeah, mostly hate.”

The drive behind Freeman’s training comes from more than personal goals — it’s a family affair, inspired by his grandson, Jordan Freeman, in New York, who frequently participates in the Hyrox.

“He’s not just your typical grandfather too,” Jordan said. “I think he thought it was cool what I was doing.”

The bond between the two generations is clear. In fact, the two share the same birthday.

“For me it’s a lifetime memory. It creates a memory for my family and hopefully as a motivator to – you can do it! Just do it – Nike, is that what they say?” Freeman said.

“To see roles reversed a little bit and see him picking up some of my passions, it feels good and it’s special,” Jordan added.

At the finish line, soreness may take over, but the support system is ready. “Even if we’re crawling to the finish line — I’ll put him on my back if I have to,” Jordan said.

For Freeman, it’s not about trophies or trainers. “I just envision us finishing and hugging,” he said.

“His life has always been about me, his grandkids, and about his family – so I really want him to feel it for himself and realize you accomplished this,” Jordan said.

With that bond pushing them forward, Freeman continues his training, hoping to inspire both his family and anyone watching.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.