Interview with Hunter Leininger, 16 Year Old AR World Champs Racer

Rob Howard / 07.08.2017

Among the athletes now gathering in Casper, Wyoming for Cowboy Tough is Hunter Leininger, the youngest ever racer at an AR World Champs, aged just 16.  He is racing with team www.ARgeorgia.com, alongside his father Jeff, and while he may seem very young to attempt such an extreme endurance event he has considerable racing experience behind him from the past 9 years, including completing Cowboy Tough.

SleepMonsters asked him about his AR Racing and expectations at ARWC ahead of the race.

Could you give me a break down of your AR racing career so far?

I started racing age 7 and the Main Races I was youngest to complete were the  USARA Nationals at age 11, a 3-day  Sea to Sea event and the 4 Day Cowboy Tough.

(Ed. See below for a link to a full race history.)You can find out more about Hunter at www.HunterLeininger.com

How did you get involved in Adventure Racing at such a young age?

I was playing Soccer and Football but I was always looking for something else to do. My Dad was Adventure Racing and I asked him if I could race with him one day. The very next weekend (at the age of 7) I did my first 6 Hour Race. I have been hooked ever since.

What is the appeal of the sport to a young athlete?

The first appeal of the sport is the ability to race with another family member. In my case I race with my Father. There are not many sports that you can race with your Dad. Another great appeal to the sport is that it is a complete team sport. You have to stay together and you are only as strong as your weakest member.

How do you think more young people could be encouraged into Adventure Racing?

They just need to take a look at me and realize it is possible to finish and win some of the hardest races in the World.

What do you feel you have gained or learned from Adventure Racing, which you wouldn’t have from mainstream sports?

I learned to keep going even when times get tough and you are in a lot of pain, because the pain will go away if you just keep going. In a mainstream sport such as football if you have any pains at all you can stop and someone will replace you. The problem with this is kids don’t learn how to keep going when times get tough.

What was your best moment in Adventure Racing?

The best moment in Adventure Racing was during the 2012 USARA Nationals in New York. This was my first time doing a 24 Hour Race at the age of 12 and I set a National Record! I was really struggling during the long bike leg in the middle of the race. When we finally got to the top of the mountain it started to snow. It was the first and only time during a race it ever snowed on me. It came at the perfect time and gave me the motivation I needed to keep going.

How are you feeling ahead of the World Championship race and what are your hopes and expectations for the race?

I feel very prepared and well trained for the World Championship race. I have always wanted to be invited to the Adventure Racing World Championship ever since I started racing at the age of 7. When I finished my first race I was hooked and have been searching for the biggest race to attend and this is it. I have been training for this race for the past 10 years and hope to complete it and set yet another World Record!

You can find out more about Hunter at www.HunterLeininger.com and follow his team's progress on the AR World Champs Live website.

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