EPIC5 Ends With Super-Human Efforts

At approximately 8:40 am on May 10th, Epic5 founder Jason P. Lester crossed the finish line on the Big Island in Hawaii, completing a 703 mile odyssey that is almost beyond comprehension. Engulfed in a huddle of hugs, tears, smiles, shouts, and just sheer exhaustion, Lester, and his cadre of world-class endurance athletes, had just accomplished a feat that many consider on a level of climbing Mount Everest, swimming the English Channel, and cycling the Tour d’France all wrapped up in one.

EPIC5 Challenge: Over the Hump, but Still Humping It in Hawaii

Before the athletes began their Epic5 experience, there certainly was a “one-day-at-a-time” mentality that helped them manage the enormity of the challenge that faced them.

However, as the super-human efforts of these E5 participants nears the end of the event, their focus has narrowed to more of a “minute-by-minute” survival mode. Bruises and blisters, fatigue and flat tires, long days and logistics are all part of the story that has emerged during the inaugural Epic5 Challenge.

EPIC5 Challenge, Day 1 Recap: Reality Rolls Into Epic5 Rally, as Event Launches on Kaua’i

When most imagine the paradise that is known as Hawaii, rarely do visions of lightning storms, muddy shark-infested waters, or chaotic personnel scrambles at 3 am come to mind.

Yet, despite the thorough planning by our logistics angel, Rebecca Morgan, the conditions wrought by Mother Nature demanded some “on your feet” adapting by Epic5 Challenge founder AND participant, Jason Lester.

Jason Lester: Carrying the Load of the Epic5 Challenge...and Still Having Room for More

As the blips and beeps of our Web conferencing system began punctuating the quiet of my subterranean office, I was preparing to ease our Epic5 documentary production crew into the good, the bad, and the ugly of our pending show across the Hawaiian islands. The Epic5 Challenge was not only going to be a monumental struggle for our nine athletes, who are preparing to traverse five islands, while completing five triathlons in five days, but for our production crew, as well.

Hawaiian Vacation or Polynesian Punishment?

When most people decide to go to the Hawaiian islands for a week with four of their best friends, they probably envision the gentle brush of trade winds, the hither and yon of warm waves rushing up onto the beaches, and the welcoming arms of the Polynesian people waiting to greet them and attend to their every need. Yet when World-class triathlete Jason Lester decided to invite four of his fellow athletes to the 50th state, gentle, warm, and attending were the last things on his mind.