Jason P. Lester

Jason P. Lester is an endurance athlete, the author of the book Running on Faith, and the 2009 ESPY Award winner for Best Male Athlete with a Disability. He is the first disabled athlete to complete the Ultraman World Championships. He is the Founder of EPIC5 Challenge, EP1CMAN and The NEVER STOP Foundation.

Lester has completed endurance challenges such as the EPIC5 Challenge (5 Iron distance triathlons on 5 Hawaiian islands in 5 consecutive days), and a run and bike across the United States. On May 5, 2013, Lester ran across the United States, becoming the 4th fastest runner to run from San Francisco to New York City to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims. He ran along The Great Wall of China in 83 days, setting a world record by becoming the first person to run the length of the wall solo in a single attempt.

Early life Lester grew up playing baseball and football. When he was twelve years old, he was hit while on his bicycle by a woman driving who ran a red light. He was left for dead with 21 broken bones and a collapsed lung. Lester lost the use of his right arm, which became partially paralyzed as a result of the accident. During the next several months he began a lengthy hospital recovery. While he was still in the hospital recovering, his father, and sole guardian, died of a heart attack. Twelve months after the accident, he went on to continue to play baseball and football, making the all star game with the use of only one arm. Lester continued to play sports throughout high school and college. He began to compete in running and biathlon races at age 16, and by age 18 was ranked #2 for biathlons in the state of Arizona.

Triathlon Lester competed in the 2008 and 2009 Ironman World Championships in Kona. In 2008, Lester became the first disabled athlete to complete the Ultraman World Championships.

On May 5, 2013, Lester made a transcontinental run across America in 72 days. The run was a collaborative service project with Waves For Water. Waves For Water is an active presence and force for the Hurricane Sandy Relief Initiative, which supports neighborhoods and communities recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

The NEVER STOP Foundation In 2007, Lester founded the Never Stop Foundation. The NEVER STOP Foundation aims to use athletics as a tool to encourage young people to achieve their full potential.

Racing and endurance highlights RUNAUS — The first American male to run across Australia. Jason P. Lester's Trans Australia Run started in Scarborough Beach, Western Australia and ended 135 days later in Batemans Bay, New South Wales. (August 2016) 72 consecutive hour run - 2014 Run Across America Ran 3,550 miles across the United States (July 2013) The Great Wall Run – first person to run along The Great Wall of China in 83 days solo in a single attempt (2014) Ran in 24 hours on a treadmill in 2013 Completed three consecutive iron distance triathlons in 52 hours, 2012 Ran 26 marathons in 26 consecutive days, 2012 Ran and biked from Manhattan, NY to Portland, OR, 16 States - 102 days, 2012 EPIC5- 5 Iron Distance Triathlons | 5 Hawaiian Islands, 2010, 2011, 2012 Ultraman Canada, 2008 (4th place overall in the run, 2009 (14th place overall) Ultraman Hawaii World Championships, 2008 (24th overall), 2009 (18th overall), 2010 Ironman World Championship, 2008, 2009 Ironman Arizona, 2007, 2008 Ironman Western Australia, 2007 70.3 Honolulu, 2009 (3rd in age group, and qualified for Ironman World Championships), 2010 Ultramarathon – Hilo to Volcano, 2008 (9th place overall) UItramarathon – Western States 100, 2009 (pacer) UItramarathon – Badwater Ultramarathon 135, 2011 (pacer) ITU Triathlon World Championships, 2007 (6th place), 2008 (2nd in category) The Nautica New York City Triathlon, 2007 (2nd in category) Duathlon – Pac Crest Endurance, 2008 (3rd in age group) Scottsdale Duathlon, 2005, (1st in age group, 2nd overall )

Awards Most Inspirational People In Health And Fitness | AskMen.com, 2016 ESPY Award Winner - Best Male Athlete with a Disability, 2009 USAT (USA Triathlon) PC Athlete of the Year, 2008 USAT (USA Triathlon) PC Athlete of the Year Finalist, 2007