AUBURN - Jim Genkos is what you might consider an iron man outdoor athlete.

At 60, he has done a little bit of everything along the way: skiing, canoeing, bicycling and running are all important parts of his life.

"I've been doing this for so many years, 25 years I guess," Genkos said. "It is a habit. I wouldn't know what else to do."

But canoeing is closest to his heart.

"The goal of all of it is training for canoeing," Genkos said. "No matter what I do, it ends up being training for canoeing."

In the 28 years of the summer Great Race, he has only missed a few when they were at the same time as national canoeing event.

Genkos said he is an avid skier as well. He often travels weekends to attend events through the winter, across both the U.S. and Canada.

While canoeing is his favorite, he said winter events are also important to him.

"It is something to do in the winter and a great way to stay in shape," Genkos said. "I like being outside in the elements. I like to ski. If there is no snow I skate. I really enjoy slant skiing. There is some good speed and it is a great cardio-workout."

Last year, he was the first man to ever compete individually in all four Winter Great Race events.

What would drive one person to do a five-mile skate, 10k run, four-mile cross-country ski and 2 1/2-mile snowshoe?

For Genkos it was nothing more or less than just the desire to know he could do it.

"I'm an old fool is what my wife would say," Genkos laughed. "But it is something I have always enjoyed and that is what it is all about."

This may seem odd, one man in all those events for a race that is team oriented.

But according to race director Steve Komanecky, he was glad to make an exception for Genkos.

"I think for him it was really just a personal challenge," Komanecky said. "He wasn't doing it for awards or anything just to see if he could do it."

Genkos said the thought of winning the race wasn't even on his mind.

"It was pre-planned," Genkos said. "I wasn't going to even worry about finishing."

It is hard to believe that a man in good enough shape to do that didn't take up any of these activities until he was in his mid '30s.

"I was teaching and I knew I had to do more physical activities," Genkos said. "I knew I just wasn't getting enough. Now I'm retired and it is a great way to stay healthy and keep me busy with something to do."

Genkos said he sticks to a rigid training schedule that included running and weightlifting three to four times a week on top of all the traveling he does to compete in ski or canoe events.

"I'm waxing my skis right now for the World Loppet series," Genkos said. "It is an annual thing that involved 18 countries all over the world. It is quite a large thing. I think I'm going to try to do two days of 25k. It is the real serious pros that do the 50k."

His training habits have made him well known.

"He trains all year long and he is 60 years old," Komanecky said. "I see him at the Y most every day. He is pretty faithful to taking care of himself."

His reputation and his solo accomplishments are a part of what drew Al Hastings to recruit him for his race team this year.

"I think it is an amazing feat that he'd done all the events himself," Hastings said. "Jim is very good. So when we needed a skier we knew we wanted Jim. So I called him and asked."

Genkos said he is looking forward to being a part of a team.

"I really didn't care to do it alone again this year," Genkos said. "This year I'm just skiing. I think we're going to do well."

His fellow teammates feel that his athleticism brings an important element to the team.

"I've known him for 30 years," Marty Keough said. "And he is an excellent athlete. He is competitive, but also fun loving. We're a fun team, but we still don't have to worry about if the other guy is going to hold up which is good and still fun."

While Genkos is with a team this year, he said he would like to see some place in the race for singles in the future. He feels there are other athletes who are interested in pushing themselves like he has.

"I'd like to see the competition opened up," Genkos said. "It is tough to do all disciplines but it is fun."