About Lucas:
I was born with a rare condition called arthrogryposis, causing my left arm to remain underdeveloped and fused at the joints. The cause of this condition is debated and largely unknown. I consider myself very fortunate as it typically affects more than one limb. I was also fortunate to have parents who did not treat me any differently than anyone else and pushed me to not let my arm hold me back.
Growing up I mostly did what people told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t be doing. I played basketball from the time I was young though high school, making the varsity team my junior and senior years. It was my first love and a way I could seek solace, challenge myself, and learn how to be a part of a team.
I found a love for running in middle school and joined the cross country team. In college I ran a 200 mile relay race with some friends and loved it. I have since run the Leadville 100 mile race twice, in 2019 as part of the Leadman series. The most daunting race of the 5 in the Leadman series was the 100 mile mountain bike race because I only use one hand on the handlebars and do not have a prosthetic for my left. I was able to complete the race in time with my hand so numb that I couldn’t shift gears. I was stoked. I have since completed the Smoke N Fire 400 mile self-supported bikepacking race twice, becoming the first to do so as an individual with a disability.
Mountainous terrain is where I find the most joy. In my new backyard of the Tetons I’ve completed the ‘Teton Picnic’ a couple of times and spend a lot of time biking around and running up various mountains. I am currently training under coach, Jason Schlarb, to become a better mountain runner and endurance ski mountaineer. With his coaching I completed the Restonica 70K and the OCC 50K this past summer, setting a PR at the 50k distance. During my time in Chamonix I was also able to advocate for adaptive athletes by speaking directly with the Admissions Manager for UTMB.
I am currently on a team of adaptive athletes with a goal of traveling from the lowest point to the highest point in elevation on every continent completely human powered. We completed South America early 2020. We also started the nonprofit called LowestHighest in which we are raising funds to help serve those with disabilities in the areas we will be traveling through. For example, providing a proper fitting prosthetic to someone who doesn't have access to one. I love to push myself to my perceived limits and push through them while exploring the great outdoor world and advocating for those in the disabled community. This journey is another way to do just that!
accomplishments:
Co-created the nonprofit LowestHighest Foundation. We have completed South America so far, biking roughly 2000 miles from Laguna Del Carbon to Aconcagua, ditching the bikes, and climbing Aconcagua
Was an athlete on the inaugural SCARPA athlete mentorship initiative
Came in 26th place, 10th in my age group, in the RUT mountain race in Montana (out of 500+ racers) and was the only competitor with a physical disability
Sponsored by Challenged Athletes Foundation
Ran the Leadville 100 mile footrace twice
Completed the Leadman Series (trail marathon, 50 mile run, 100 mile mtb race, 10k run, 100 mile footrace) all in one summer
Only person to complete the Leadville 100 mile mtb race with one arm on the handlebars (I do not use a bike prosthetic)
Completed the Smoke N’ Fire 400 mile self supported bike-packing race twice and was the first to complete this with a disability. In 2021 two others with disabilities completed it with me! This was sponsored by Challenged Athletes Foundation
Have completed the Teton ‘Picnic’ Triathlon twice and am the only person to do it with a disability (22 mile bike, 1.2 mile swim, 22 mile run/rock climb with 7500 ft of vert up the Grand Teton, 1.2 mile swim, 22 mile bike
Bike and Build 2016 rode my bike across the country from Virginia to Oregon building homes with Habitat for Humanity.
