Max Karp
I’m Max — a New York City fitness professional with over 6 years of experience as an endurance coach and personal trainer.
I grew up playing baseball alongside a dream of working in finance, though, I made the transition to the fitness industry in 2017 after graduating Magna Cum Laude at Indiana University. Private coaching has become my professional passion, but I also lead workouts in the metaverse as a trainer with LITESPORT along with in-person group classes at GRIT BOXING in New York City.
When I’m not working or socializing, you can likely find me training for my next race as part of the Every Man Jack triathlon team. I turned to triathlon in 2019 after a series of running-related injuries and immediately became obsessed. Today I compete in both — triathlon and running — and have completed thirteen 70.3’s (half ironman), one marathon, and numerous shorter races. I’m also a four-time qualifier for the 70.3 World Championships, Boston Marathon qualifier, and continue to work towards my goal of finishing an Ironman 70.3 as the #1 amateur.
Race History & Accomplishments
2016
Trained for and raced my first race — the Hoosier Half Marathon (1:59:04) in Bloomington, Indiana.
2017
Fresh out to college and excited to be living in New York, I raced the AirBnB Brooklyn Half Marathon (1:47:37). It was a memorable experience, but didn’t leave me eager to do it again. Later that year I raced the NYRR 5th Ave Mile (5:31) — that one hurt.
2018
The year of the mile (apparently). Working full-time for Barry’s Bootcamp and finding real enjoyment in short, fast running, I ran both the Brooklyn Mile (5:27) and the 5th Ave Mile (5:17). Back-to-back PR’s.
2019
The year I truly found my love for running and endurance. Despite injuring my calf 6 weeks prior, I hobbled my way to a PR at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon (1:39:47). A week later, I completed and earned my run coaching certification from Road Runner’s Club of America (RRCA). I also had just learned about triathlon and having been frustrated by a slew of injuries, I took a leap of faith and decided to try my hand at swim-bike-run. Mind you, I had no recent swimming or bike experience.
My first triathlon season had me hooked, falling for the sport more and more with each race. I completed two sprints (winning my age group in the first, third overall in the second), the Atlantic City Olympic Tri (2:02:18, 1st AG), and my first half ironman that year at 70.3 Lake Placid (5:18:16).
2020
Covid. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I was hit by a car during a long bike ride in August and tore my AC joint. 3 shoulder surgeries later and I was back on the road to recovery.
2021
Still recovering from my accident, I took a leap of faith (again) and signed up for my second half ironman — 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge (4:50:10, 4th AG, 10th OA). I did exceptionally well considering my recent past and punched my ticked to the 70.3 World Championships in St. George, Utah. This race helped me rediscover the love for endurance sports and competition that was wiped away due to my accident. It also left me “hungry” for more — shortly after I hired a coach.
In the lead up to world’s I raced another sprint (my first overall win), the NJ State Olympic Tri (2:04:49, 2nd AG), and the Atlantic City Olympic Tri (2:06:38, 4th OA). 70.3 World’s was an insane experience and arguably my hardest race to date. I PR’d (4:49:51) but knew there was more in the tank.
2022
A breakthrough year. I earned two half marathon PR’s early in the year (Central Park Half 1:24:25, NYCRuns Brooklyn Half 1:20:41) and completed five half ironman from April to October, making huge progress in almost every race — 70.3 Oceanside (4:31:35, 5th AG), 70.3 Chattanooga (4:20:44), 70.3 Musselman (4:17:04, 1st AG), 70.3 Atlantic City (4:25:10, 4th AG/10th OA), 70.3 World Champs (4:25:02).
This was the year I got really serious with my training and approach to racing. My biggest takeaway — hiring a coach is worth every penny. My coach, Lauren, helped me tap into potential I didn’t know I had. I was elated with how my season went, and yet, still curious to see how much progress could still be made.
2023
Another huge year, and this time racing for the Every Man Jack Triathlon Team which is an incredible honor. I tackled five half ironman’s from April to September before shifting gears and running the NYC Marathon. On the triathlon side, I wouldn’t call it my “best” year but I was consistent — 70.3 Oceanside (4:31:14, 19th OA Amateur), 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge (4:29:50, 4th AG,5th OA), 70.3 Musselman (4:19:44, 2nd AG/8th OA), 70.3 Maine (4:09:51, 3rd AG), 70.3 Santa Cruz (4:24:30, 5th AG). Strong performances on the bike kept me competitive in every race, always putting up one of the fastest times on the day. The fall was the highlight of my year — training for and racing the NYC Marathon. I executed my race plan to a “T” and crossed the line in 2:57:14 securing my BQ for 2025 and reigniting my love of running.
This year humbled me. For the first time, I faced challenges in my personal and professional life that took time and attention away from my training. I often relied on my discipline to keep going, but I also allowed myself to experience the highs and lows — learning to adapt to the bumps in the road instead of speed through them. With a milestone year on the horizon, these experiences were crucial to preparing me for the change that is to come…
