He runs, cycles or swims every day, and travels Australia and the world to compete in triathlons, duathlons and long-distance running events.

Later this year, he will travel to London for the ITU World Triathlon and, next year, he will go to Brazil.

Mr Leovic does not train but competes almost every day in various races around Canberra.

The Phillip resident has never had arthritis or serious injuries, almost never takes medication, and makes sure he is ''all the time warm and all the time ready to race''.

His intense exercise regimen began in 1978 when he reached retirement, his children had left home and there was more time for his own pursuits.

''What do I do? Play bowls? No. Play golf? No. Play Scrabble? No. I wanted something more, so I got full blast into sport.''

At the same time, he changed his diet, cutting out sugar, anything with added salt, tea, coffee and alcohol.

''The way my psyche is made, I can't go halfway,'' he said. ''I have a very, very methodical life; I have very healthy food.''

When asked for advice for fellow octogenarians, he said he could not really give any because his approach was beyond what most people were willing to do. ''To be very honest with you, I look around and I don't think I can ask anybody to live the way I live.''

Mr Leovic's wife, Helen, is 79 and is not an athlete like him, but he said she had ''lovely skin'' and was ''not like those old ladies''.

''We kiss each other every now and then, and more … it's not like 20 years old but it still happens.''

Mr Leovic came to Australia from the former Yugoslavia in 1951 after he absconded during a bike race and escaped over the border to Austria.

He came to Australia on the Arthur Calwell immigration scheme. ''I was lucky to escape the Iron Curtain; I was lucky to come to the best country in the world,'' he said.

Mr Leovic is a long-time participant of The Canberra Times Fun Run, which will be held this year on September 8. He will complete the 10-kilometre route in an expected time of about 70 minutes.

■ Early-bird entries are available until July 31. To register, log on to canberratimesfunrun.com.au.