Former Olympic kayaker and Niles area resident Jeff Smoke has not lost the desire to compete and stay fit, even as he approaches middle age.

On Saturday, the 38-year-old was the first to cross the finish line in the M22 triathlon challenge, which requires participants to run, bike and paddle their way through 22 miles of scenic Leelanau County in northern Michigan.

It was Smoke’s fourth consecutive victory there and the fifth in six years.

“I do stay in great shape year round — it is in my blood and something I just really enjoy doing,” he said. “I don’t compete a lot anymore. This is pretty much the only race I do every year because it is so fun to go up to — it’s such a beautiful area.”

He credits Chris and Keri Pawielski, owners of downtown Niles Inertia Cycleworks, for introducing him to the M22 challenge.

“They told me about it and thought I’d like it, so I started going up there,” he said.

Smoke, a 1996 Buchanan High School graduate, kayaked on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens, Greece. He was on five U.S. National teams and was an alternate for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, but ultimately missed making the team.

He said he has found ways to stay active since then while at the same time balancing life and work.

“My workouts aren’t as long as they used to be, so I have to make them count more when I do work out,” he said. “More intense workouts and shorter durations.”

He said being an athlete and a competitor has helped him in every aspect of his life.

Smoke encouraged others to be active as well — no matter what they choose to do.

“I don’t think there is any magic formula,” he said. “It is just getting out there and doing it and finding something you are passionate about.”

Smoke finished Saturday’s race in one hour, 11 minutes and 29 seconds. The challenge began on foot at the Sleeping Bear National Park Dune Climb. Competitors then biked around Big and Little Glen Lake, including Inspiration Point, before finishing up on kayaks or on stand-up paddleboards around Little Glen Lake.