Harvey Lewis running in silhouette at dusk
Cincinnati, Ohio — ultrarunner & high school teacher

The limits we believe in are the only ones that exist.

Two-time Badwater 135 champion, five-time Team USA runner, and Cincinnati teacher. Thirty years of exploring human resilience on foot.

30
Years of ultrarunning
15×
Badwater finishes (2× win)
Team USA appearances
126
Races since 1996
Who he is

Most runners fight the extremes. Harvey Lewis smiles through them.

Thirty years of ultrarunning, fueled entirely by plants and an infectious love for the journey. Between world-class races, he teaches high school history in Cincinnati and reminds every student they are capable of reaching higher than they imagine.

Read the full story →
Harvey Lewis with students Harvey Lewis finishing at night
Four pillars, one runner
450
Backyard Ultra

108 consecutive hours on foot at Big’s Backyard, running 450 miles without sleep.

15×
Badwater Veteran

15 Death Valley finishes, two overall victories, and the 270-mile Badwater Double.

250
Chasing Democracy

250 miles from NYC to the U.S. Capitol, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

180
Classroom Days

Full-time public school history teacher in Cincinnati who run-commutes year-round.

“We are all capable of incredible feats. No matter your pursuits, we can all go so much further than we think.
Rich Roll Podcast, ep. 812
Explore Harvey’s full story & biography →
Salt flat at sunset
Badwater 135 · Death Valley
135 miles across the hottest place on Earth. Fifteen finishes, two victories, and a celebration of what the human spirit can endure.
Selected results 126 races since 1996 · UltraSignup, iRunFar · WR = world record at the time
2026 Last Soul Ultra (Germany) 195.8 mi / 47 yards 14th
2026 Badwater 135 25:55:41 · 15th finish 11th
2026 Chasing Democracy 250 250 mi · NYC to DC (America250) Lead Runner
2026 Mid-State Mile 161.7 mi / 147 yards 1st · Winner
2025 Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 462.51 mi / 111 yards 3rd
All 126 races since 1996 →
Speaking

A teacher who can tell you exactly what the fifth day feels like

Specific, unhurried, evidence first. Lessons from thirty years of endurance, brought directly to corporate teams and schools.

Keynote · 45–60 min
One More Loop

Winning multi-day races through hour-by-hour decisions—and how teams apply this when facing no visible finish line.

Corporate · 30–45 min
Pacing, Not Heroics

Building sustainable endurance, avoiding burnout, and recovering fast while balancing everyday professional life.

Schools · 30 min + Q&A
Everyone is a Sequoia

Mental resilience, patience, and gratitude—the foundational mindset he shares with his own high school students.

Harvey Lewis speaking with students
Formats Keynote, fireside, assembly, panel
Audiences Corporate, schools, endurance events
Travel From Cincinnati, OH · worldwide
Fee band On request
Lead time Book around race season
Check a date → Talks, formats & audiences →
Partners & affiliations Verified social & media reach
Footwear & apparel
Brooks Running
Sponsored athlete
Biomarker testing
InsideTracker
Partner — biomarker testing
Sleep & recovery
Dream Recovery
Sleep strategy for Big’s
National team
Team USA · IAU 24-Hour
Five appearances — a US record
Own venture
International running expeditions
Advocacy
Viva! · Great Vegan Athletes
Plant-based performance features
82k+
Instagram followers
64k
Facebook followers
150k+
Combined community
Rich Roll Podcast guest
Media kit

Everything a deadline needs

Quick facts
Cincinnati, Ohio
Teacher, Cincinnati Public Schools (SCPA)
Vegan athlete since 1996
15× Badwater 135 finisher (2× champion)
2× Backyard Ultra World Record Holder
Chasing Democracy 250 lead runner (2026)
Brooks Running athlete
Press
Chasing Democracy 250 (chasingdemocracy250.com)
Rich Roll Podcast (episodes 658, 812)
iRunFar — “The Educator Effect” & “A Different Mode”
Cincinnati Enquirer
“Like Harvey Like Son” documentary
Enquiries & Contact

Three ways to bring him in