A 61-year-old soldier says he has been kicked out of the army because he is 'too old ' - even though he can still run a mile-and-a-half in just ten minutes . Fitness fanatic Kevin Fulthorpe spent 25 years in the army reserve , where he gave fitness training to his younger comrades . The sergeant , who is an amateur boxer and has won cross country honours for the army , also claims that he is fitter than most men half his age . Scroll down for video . Kevin Fulthorpe , 61 ( left and right ) , from Cardiff , says he has been kicked out of the army because he is 'too old ' - even though he can still run a mile-and-a-half in just ten minutes . The sergeant ( pictured ) can also do 44 press-ups in two minutes and 50 sit-ups in the same amount of time . But the military has now forced him to retire - even though he can still pass a military fitness test with flying colours - due to what he claims is age discrimination . The sportsman , from Cardiff , can still do 44 press-ups in two minutes and 50 sit-ups in the same amount of time - the requirements needed to qualify as a new reservist recruit for the Parachute Regiment . He said : 'How dare the Army tell me I 'm too old to do my job - it 's a kick in teeth . ' I have a lifetime working in fitness , I feel I have so much to give in an era where fitness and obesity is a growing problem . 'The army does not exempt people on gender , ethnicity or religion but it discriminates against age . ' The usual age for the army to retire non-commissioned officers is 55 , but Mr Fulthorpe has been given year-on-year extensions owing to his fitness . He hoped to continue working with the army reserve as a fitness instructor after turning 61 , but was told it was time for his retirement . Mr Fulthorpe has also taken part in several marathons , half-marathons and triathlons . But the military has now forced him to retire , even though he can still pass a military fitness test with flying colours . He also claims he is fitter than most people half his age . Mr Fulthorpe has won cross-country honours for the army and has recently taken part in marathons , half-marathons and triathlons . He has been an amateur boxer and is still a chief inspector for a UK-wide boxing safety board . Age Cymru 's chief executive Ian Thomas said : 'Kevin 's story clearly demonstrates the demoralising effect that age-based policies can have on us . 'We have an ageing population and age discrimination by most employers is now illegal . 'However older people are the ones who are most likely to suffer long-term unemployment and many still face major barriers in employment and new work opportunities . The fitness fanatic spent 25 years in the army reserve , where he gave fitness training to younger comrades . Mr Fulthorpe ( pictured left and right ) is now claiming that he has been a victim of age discrimination . The usual age for the army to retire non-commissioned officers is 55 . 'It is time to turn our backs on old fashioned ideas about age and ageing . ' The army has recently extended age limits for reservists for specialist roles such as intelligence experts and medics , as it tries to grow the reserve to 30,000 . A spokesperson said : 'While we can not comment on specific cases , the normal retirement age for Regulars and Reservists is 55 , and on occasion units can extend an individuals service yearly up until the age of 60 . 'Decisions to extend service beyond the age of 60 are only taken in exceptional circumstances and on a case by case basis . '
the army reserve , from Cardiff , was part of the army reserve for 25 years . He lead the fitness training and has won cross country honours for army . Sergeant says it is a 'kick in the teeth ' that he has been forced to retire . He can still do 44 press-ups in 2 minutes and 50 sit-ups in same timeframe . The usual age for the army to retire its non-commissioned officers is 55 .