Bellevue resident Mike Flynn doesn’t let Father Time prevent him from competing in his favorite pastime.

Flynn, who is 75, captured second place in the 100-meter dash at the 2015 Huntsman World Senior Games in Saint George, Utah in early October. Flynn clocked a time of 17.2 seconds in the finals of his age division (75-79).

Flynn, who ran the 440-yard dash during his high school and collegiate days, said he gave up running until his 60th birthday in 2000. Then, he received a flyer in the mail about  the Washington Senior games — and the rest is history.

“I thought to myself, that is interesting. I got in shape and went down to Olympia where I won the 100 and was second in the 200 in 2001,” Flynn said.

In early 2011, Flynn faced an unfortunate setback that threatened his life after being diagnosed with colon cancer. In May of 2011, Flynn underwent a successful surgery. During his eight-week recovery period, when all he was permitted to do athletically was walk, his thoughts were centered upon making a triumphant return to the track.

“I knew the 25th anniversary of the World Senior Games was taking place in October of 2011. I made my mind up that the most important thing in my life was to run in the 25th anniversary World Senior Games,” Flynn said.

After being cleared by his physician on July 22, Flynn began training for the most important race of his life.

“I knew I was going to have to bust my tail for nine weeks to be able to run,” he said. “Nine weeks is enough time to get in shape. I worked really hard, but never ran 100 percent until the race because I didn’t want to hurt my hamstring. I didn’t go all out until the day of the race and much to my surprise I ran a 15.4 and got third place in my age group. I was pleased with that.”

After taking three years off from competing, Flynn decided to make his return to the track this year. He pushed himself through a three-day-a-week workout regimen, focusing on preserving and developing fast twitch muscles throughout his entire body in preparation for the 2015 Huntsman World Senior Games.

“You have to keep the fast twitch muscles working. I usually run a lot of 400s and 200s, but I don’t run them that fast. I usually finish with five 100s at an increased speed. I will run a 100 and then I walk another 100 before I run again,” he said.

The hard work paid off with a second place finish in the 100-meter dash at the 2015 games, even though his time was 1.8 seconds slower than it was four years earlier in 2011. He said the pressure of having just once chance at the race is something he relishes.

“You only have one opportunity with your shoes on, 100 meters on the track and the stopwatch ready. You don’t ever lose the desire to compete. It is always there,” he said.

The spry 75-year-old is looking forward to making the return trip to Saint George in October 2016.

“I feel even more inclined to do this next year. I was probably 90 percent in shape this time and it still went okay,” Flynn said. “I’m going to keep in shape and I’m going to try to do the best I can next year.”

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com