Training with Triathlon Winner

Bob Karalis crossed the finish line at the Anchor Bay Triathlon last summer and he hasn't stopped since.

The 51-year-old Davison resident, who competed in the Iron Man Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii (in 2005 and 2008), won the 2010 New Baltimore event. 

Karalis trains throughout the year. His schedule: between 10 and 17 hours of cycling, swimming and running each week. He trains up to six days per week and, although he does not follow a specific diet, he consumes a healthy balance of “good-for-you foods.”

“It’s just about healthy in and healthy out," Karalis said. "You can’t perform well if you’re not eating well.”

He is one of nearly 200 people from across the country who flock to New Baltimore each year for the triathlon. The seasoned athlete said the race is ideal for novice competitors. It includes a half-mile swim in Anchor Bay followed by an 11-mile bike ride and 3-mile run around the city. The finish line is outside the New Baltimore Recreation Center on Washington Street.

“It’s perfect for newcomers,” Karalis said. “Everyone has a weakest link in one of the three sports, so work on yours. Don’t worry about a finish time, just go out there and try it. Anyone can do it.”

Active since a young age, Karalis was a swimmer who also raced motorcycles. He sold his dirt bike and purchased a bicycle in 1995 after deciding to try something new.

“Falling off a dirt bike is more rough. In a (triathlon) race, you meet new people and travel to new cities. It’s a great sport to get into, since cross training keeps you healthy,” he said.

The Roseville native first competed in the Anchor Bay Triathlon in 1995. He has participated almost every year since and said he especially enjoys meeting friends, volunteers and sponsors at the event. Last year, he won for the first time with an overall finish time of 1:04:08.

“I was satisfied with my performance last year. The short, fast races are almost as hard as the longer ones.”

New Baltimore Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Carlos Aprea said the triathlon is a popular attraction in the city.

“It’s one of those events that draws from out of the area," Aprea said. "We have a lot of entries from out of state.”

Registration is open

Anyone interested in joining can register in person or by mail at the recreation center from now until June 30. Online registration may be done until 12:01 a.m. June 12 at http://www.active.com/triathlon/new-baltimore-mi/anchor-bay-triathlon-2011. Late registration is possible in person only at the center July 1-8.

The individual registration fee is $40, costing an extra $10 for late registrants. Entry fees for teams are $75, but $90 for teams that join late. 

The minimum age to join the co-ed event is 15. Registration will close when the number of participants reaches 260.

For more information, call 586-725-0291 or e-mail here. Click here to review the triathlon rules, see previous results and download a registration form.

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