Paralympic medalist Mohamed Lahna has completed his Triathlon Across America after finishing a final 300-mile running stage from Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA.
Lahna crossed the finish line at Venice Beach just after 13:00 on July 29, 2026. He is believed to be the first athlete with a prosthesis to complete a triathlon across the United States in this format after covering approximately 3,300 miles.
The three-time Paralympian began the challenge in New York on June 13, 2026 with a 28.5-mile swim around Manhattan Island, organised by New York Open Water, which he completed in seven hours, 44 minutes and 58 seconds.
He then cycled approximately 3,000 miles from New York City to Las Vegas, NV, travelling through 16 states and climbing more than 100,000 feet (30,480m) before beginning the final run to Los Angeles, CA.
By the numbers:
- 3,300 miles
- 47 days
- 16 states
- 28.5-mile swim
- 3,000-mile bike ride
- 300-mile run
- 100,000+ feet of climbing
- US$166,173 raised (and counting)
Mohamed Lahna said “I am incredibly proud and grateful to have reached Venice Beach and completed this journey. There were so many moments when the finish felt impossibly far away, but my team, my family and everyone who supported us gave me the strength to keep moving forward.
“I hope this challenge inspires children everywhere, whether they have a disability or not, to believe in themselves, to strive for their dreams and to understand that they are capable of achieving more than they may think is possible.
“People will always try to tell you what you cannot do. I want children, including my own, to look at this journey and see that their circumstances do not have to define their future. With belief, determination, support and hard work, they can create their own path.”
The final stage required Lahna to run from Las Vegas, NV, through conditions including desert temperatures, exposed roads and stretches of soft sand that placed pressure on his prosthetic leg.
Lahna said “The run through the Mojave Desert was incredibly tough. The heat was relentless, and running through soft sand with my prosthetic leg demanded an enormous amount of energy. Every step shifted underneath me, and the pressure on my body and my residual limb was extremely difficult to manage.
“I battled blisters, boils and constant pain. There were times when we had to stop, treat the wounds, adjust the prosthesis and find a way to continue. Each morning, I knew the pain would still be there, but I also knew why I was doing this.
“There were moments when my body was telling me to stop, but I kept thinking about the children and athletes we are trying to help. I kept thinking about the people who had donated, the team beside me and my family waiting at the finish. That gave me a reason to take the next step.”
During the official 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan Island, Lahna kicked off the challenge before cycling through forests, plains, mountain roads and desert terrain. The cycling stage included more than 100,000 feet (30,480m) of elevation gain, extreme heat, strong winds and smoke from wildfires. Lahna completed the ride to Las Vegas, NV, three days ahead of schedule before transitioning to the run.
Lahna said “This has tested every part of me. It tested my body, my mind, my patience and my ability to keep believing when things became difficult.
“I could not have completed it alone. My team has sacrificed so much to make this possible, and I am grateful to every person who supported us, followed the journey, sent a message, shared the campaign or donated.”
The challenge benefits two non-profit organisations: Save the Children and the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Growing up in Morocco, Lahna attended an elementary school funded by Save the Children. After moving to the United States, the Challenged Athletes Foundation provided access to a community and support network of athletes with physical disabilities.
Save the Children works internationally to ensure children can survive, learn and thrive through access to education, healthcare, protection and emergency assistance. The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities, helping them pursue active lifestyles through adaptive equipment, coaching, competition and community programs.
Lahna said “Completing the challenge is deeply personal, but the purpose has always been much bigger than me. Save the Children and the Challenged Athletes Foundation transformed my life, and I hope this journey will now make a huge impact on the lives of others.
“We have raised more than US166,000,whichisincredible,butourgoalisUS250,000. I hope people will recognize what this challenge represents and give whatever they can. Every donation can help create opportunities for children and people with physical disabilities.”
Born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a rare congenital condition that left him without a right femur, Lahna received his first functional prosthesis at the age of 20. He rode a bicycle for the first time at 25, crossed Morocco’s Atlas Mountains at 26 and completed his first marathon at 27.
Representing Team USA, Lahna won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He previously won a bronze medal representing Morocco at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and has achieved more than 30 podium finishes in World Paratriathlon competition.
His other endurance accomplishments include swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar, completing the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert, competing at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii and becoming the first adaptive athlete to earn the black T-shirt at Norway’s Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.
Lahna hopes to compete for his first Paralympic gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Taking place during the 2026 season, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Triathlon Across America was supported by project partners On, Össur, CELSIUS, Toyota and World Triathlon, alongside official supporters iGPS, Hanger Clinic, GiveStar, Rudy Project, ROKA and Jakroo.
www.givestar.io/gs/250-triathlon-across-america
