At 89 years old, there's no stopping the amazing Charlie Barnes, a member of the Rotary Club of Guelph South. He rode 25km in the Tour de Guelph 2026 and was the event's top fundraiser by a country mile, raising $34,000 (15% of the whole ride's result of some $230,000), with his closest individual competitor raising $6,300! Over 800 riders participated in the 2026 Tour de Guelph fundraiser for the Guelph General Hospital Foundation.
When asked how his fundraising is so spectacular, Charlie says he has a list of about 350 donors that he individually emails with a personal message each year, inviting them to sponsor his ride once again. (Another Rotarian quipped that if you don't respond fast enough, you soon get a warm follow-up email from Charlie!) And after the ride, he again sends an individual, personalized email to thank each and every one of his donors, every year.
Charlie, who also still runs and plays tennis (maybe more pickleball these days) at age 89, also has many credits to his name for triathlons, and credits his fitness to “good genes”. Charlie, we salute you!
The annual Tour de Guelph event is a wonderful example of Rotary collaboration with the Guelph General Hospital Foundation. Two local clubs, Rotary Guelph South and Rotary Guelph Trillium, jointly support the setup and event-day management of Tour de Guelph, and the net proceeds from the event are split with 75% going to the Hospital Foundation, and 25% being split evenly between the two Rotary Clubs (12.5% each) to help those clubs fund other local charities. Furthermore, Charlie shows up at most Rotary events to lend a hand and show support. Now THAT's Rotary in Action!
In 2015, Charlie was inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame where his certificate can be seen alongside others' in the Sleeman Centre, near the stairs leading to the Guelph Storm upstairs. The text on his certificate reads as follows:
CHARLIE BARNES
Inducted into the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame – May 15, 2019
Charlie Barnes is an inspiration to all that know him and compete against him.
He fell in love with track and field in high school and university. From 1958 to 1961 at McGill University he won many track races. But it wasn’t until 1999, at age 62, that Charlie competed in his first triathlon race in Milton. And that’s when he became dedicated to the sport.
In 2003 his son-in-law, who was a Type 1 diabetic, tragically died of hypoglycemia at age 40. Three weeks later his seven-year-old grandson was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Charlie decided that year to run the Toronto Marathon and raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Every summer for 15 years he continued to compete in triathlons, run marathons and cycle in 100-mile rides asking people to support his races by donating to JDRF. In 2009 he cycled in an eight rider relay from Halifax to Victoria and by 2017 had raised more than $100,000 for JDRF.
During this time Charlie qualified three times for a place on Team Canada to race in the International Triathlon Union World Finals. His goal … to win a medal for Canada. In 2011 in Beijing he placed fifth in his age group 70 to 74. In 2013 in London, England he placed fourth in the 75 to 79 category. In 2017 in Rotterdam he finally secured his medal, a bronze in the 80 to 84 age group!
Overall, Charlie is an inspiration, mentor and supporter of triathletes of all ages. He was a founding member and coach of the Guelph Triathlon Club; served on its executive for two years; helped with TriKids races in Fergus and Elora, and always was willing to help out as a volunteer and mentor.
Most notably, Charlie demonstrates that it is never too late in life to get involved in sport, to compete, and reach audacious goals. His next goal is the world Triathlon race where he wants “Gold in 2022” when he will be 85!