Hours in the milking parlour over time in the gym proved to be a winning strategy for the Kingston family, who were crowned the country’s fittest family last weekend.

The final of RTÉ One’s Ireland’s Fittest Family took place on Sunday night and saw the dairy farmers from Kinsale take the title and a prize of €15,000.

The Kingstons – dad Peter and kids Richard, Luke and Jessica, with mom Tracy and daughter Rebecca watching from the sidelines – were the underdogs of the competition, ending up in every eliminator of the show’s seven week run. However, when it came to the final, they had the stamina to see off the competition.

“Everyone wrote us off,” says Peter. “We failed miserably at times, but we learned from every mistake. It wasn’t plain sailing, but it was an adventure.”

Each week, families battled through a series of extreme physical challenges, facing obstacles that included mud, heights, water and jumps. It started with 12 families and whittled down to three competing in the final – the Mulhares from Portlaoise, the Daverns from Tullamore and the Kingstons.

Sunday’s final saw the Kingstons beat the favourites, the Daverns, in an eliminator challenge and go on to snatch victory from the Mulhares.

“Beating the Daverns, who everyone said would win, was almost as much fun as getting the overall title,” says Peter. “We aimed for the top four, but then we started beating the bigger teams. We never gave up and that’s why we won in the end.”

Looking for an activity he could do with his children, Peter entered the competition unbeknown to his family.

“‘What were you thinking dad?’ Was the initial reaction,” laughs Peter. “But you don’t get much of a chance to do stuff with your kids when they’re older. They took it all in their stride.”

The Kingstons don’t own a gym membership between them, but the kids play rugby and hockey and they all play tag together during the summer with Kinsale Rugby Club.

“I wouldn’t be into the gym, it’s boring for me,” says Peter. “I like getting out and playing sport. There’s a social aspect of being part of a team that you don’t get from the gym.”

Peter says that age isn’t an excuse when it comes to participating in sports.

“Some people think once you reach 40 you are too old to be a part of a team, but it’s not always about winning or being the best. The important thing is to enjoy yourself and to show a good example to your children,” he says.

“Some people can’t take losing,” he adds. “Winning matters to us, but it isn’t that important. We just wanted to compete and be in as many races as we could.”

Filming for the show started in July and concluded with the final at the end of September. Challenges took place in locations across the country, which was tough when the family had to be home for milking in the morning.

“We had to go to Connemara for one challenge,” says Peter. “We were up at dawn and didn’t come home until dark. Three cows calved that night before I could go to bed and I had to be up at seven for milking. I was lucky to have my father helping out.”

The families were coached by sport stars such as Kenneth Egan, Jason Sherlock and Davy Fitzgerald, but it was fellow Corkonian Derval O’Rourke who guided the Kingstons to success.

“She was the smartest coach,” says Peter of the champion athlete. “She understood what you had to offer and she didn’t interfere if you were on the right road.”

They watched the show in Kinsale Rugby Club with the community, with no one except Peter and his family knowing that the Kingstons were the winners.

“We had let on that we lost,” says Peter. “The roaring when we won was something else. The people of Kinsale are taking the win for themselves.”

They will hold the title for one year, but are happy to see someone else win next year.

“The first song I heard on the radio on Monday morning was called Famous for One Day. That sums it up for me,” laughs Peter.

“I’m just glad we proved that the farming community isn’t to be sneezed at and you don’t have to go to the gym to be fit.”