Robert Hepler Jr., the director of athletics and director of the Center for Lifelong Learning at UMaine-Machias, has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in October.

Hepler qualified for the Ironman competition when he won the 40-and-over age category at the recent Black Eagle Triathlon in Cambridge, Md. He set course records at the UMaine-Orono Triathlon and the Machias Rotary Club 5-kilometer race.

The Ironman championship will be held Oct. 19 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.