Mohamed Lahna Completes a Historic 5,300-km Triathlon Across the United States

Paratriathlete Mohamed Lahna achieved an unprecedented feat by completing a triathlon spanning nearly 5,300 km across the United States. The three-time Paralympic medalist crossed the finish line at Venice Beach in Los Angeles on July 29, after 47 days of effort, likely becoming the first amputee athlete using a prosthesis to complete such a challenge.

Source: CP

The adventure began on June 13 in New York with the famous “20 Bridges” crossing around the island of Manhattan. Mohamed Lahna swam 45.9 km in 7 hours, 44 minutes, and 58 seconds before continuing on a cycling journey of approximately 4,800 km from New York to Las Vegas.

In total, he crossed 16 U.S. states and climbed more than 30,500 meters before setting out on a final 480-km run from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

After 47 days of effort, he finally reached Venice Beach, completing a total distance of approximately 5,300 km.

Crossing the Desert: The Toughest Part

The final part of the adventure proved to be the most grueling. While crossing the Mojave Desert, Mohamed Lahna had to contend with extreme heat, roads completely exposed to the sun, and long stretches of sand that made it considerably more difficult to move forward with his prosthetic leg. “The heat was relentless, and running through the soft sand with my prosthetic leg required a tremendous amount of energy,” he explains.

The athlete also recounts the many injuries that marked this final stage: blisters, open sores, constant pain, and multiple adjustments to his prosthesis so he could continue his challenge. “Every morning, I knew the pain would still be there, but I also knew why I was doing this,” he says.

A Challenge for a Cause

Beyond the athletic achievement, the Triathlon Across America had a charitable goal. Mohamed Lahna hopes to raise $250,000 for two organizations that have had a profound impact on his journey: Save the Children and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

To date, more than $166,000 has already been raised.

Originally from Morocco, Mohamed Lahna explains that Save the Children helped fund his education when he was a child, while the Challenged Athletes Foundation later provided him with adaptive equipment and an environment conducive to developing his athletic career. “This challenge is personal, but it has always had a purpose far greater than myself,” he emphasizes.

An Exceptional Journey

Born with a rare congenital condition that left him without a right femur, Mohamed Lahna did not receive his first truly functional prosthesis until he was 20 years old. He discovered cycling at age 25, crossed the Moroccan Atlas Mountains a year later, and completed his first marathon at age 27.

Since then, his list of achievements has continued to grow. These include a bronze medal won with Morocco at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, a silver medal competing for the United States at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, and more than 30 international podium finishes in paratriathlon.

Among his other achievements are swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar, participation in the Marathon des Sables, qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, and a unique performance at the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, where he remains the only amputee athlete to have earned the coveted “Black T-Shirt.”

His next goal is now clear: to win Paralympic gold at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.