The 37-year-old from Canberra will be among a group of about 30 athletes competing in the October 31 event for Smiling for Smiddy, a charity which raises money for cancer care and research.

 

Milton lost a leg to cancer when he was nine but went on to become a world-class skier, representing Australia in six Paralympics, winning a total of 11 medals, including six gold.

He survived a bout of oesophageal cancer three years ago, remarkably overcoming the illness to make his debut in the Summer Paralympics, competing in the cycling at Beijing in 2008.

He got involved with Smiling for Smiddy after being invited to join the Midi-Smiddy bike ride from Brisbane to Warwick via Toowoomba and back earlier this year.

"I’m always up for a challenge," he said.

"Being a two-time survivor of cancer, it’s a charity I feel a lot of sympathy with."

Milton began training for Noosa three weeks ago.

Cycling is expected to be his strongest discipline - he won the Australian one kilometres time trial and 3000m pursuits in 2007 and 2008.

Milton the run leg would not necessarily be his most difficult leg, but could be his slowest.

He will complete the 10km run leg of the tri using crutches.

"I’ve done Mount Kilimanjaro," said Milton.
 
I’ve done Kokoda Spirit Coast to Coast twice, using crutches.

"Running is a little bit different but it’s only 10km."