LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A former Texas Tech football player will take part in an ultramarathon in Colorado and is raising funds for young people along the way.
Caleb Schneider will compete in the Leadville Trail 100 on Aug. 22. The race is often described as one of the hardest marathons in the United States to complete due to the high elevation.
Schneider graduated from O’Donnell High School in 2008 and spent the next two years as a linebacker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
“Brotherhoods were born on that field because you’re sweating, you’re bleeding, you’re just dying some days, but you’re also sharing each other’s victories, which was great too,” Schneider said.
From football to business to ultramarathons
After Texas Tech, Schneider started his business journey, which includes owning and operating a chiropractic office in Lubbock. He began long-distance running in 2023 after finding his rhythm through the 75-hard challenge.
After competing in marathons in Lubbock, New Mexico and Colorado the past few years, Schneider is now getting ready to take part in the Race Across the Sky.
“It’s at Leadville, Colorado is the town where it starts and you run 100 miles up and over Hope Pass and back,” Schneider said. “Starting at 10,500 feet elevation and going up to 12,500 and back. You gain a total of 15,000 feet of elevation through the course of the race and you have 30 hour time cap to complete it.”
Running for a cause
In order to participate, runners must be sponsored by a charity they support. Schneider is fundraising for the Life Time Foundation, which helps children have better access to healthier meals and physical activities.
“I’m not just running for myself,” Schneider said. “I mean yeah, it’s cool to push myself and see what I can do and push my limits, but what can I do to help the community at the same time and help you know spread this joy that is being outside and moving and running and so forth with our next generation.”
Schneider said the run allows him to challenge himself and show how hard work pays off.
“I also want to be that example to my children to prove to them that yes, things will get hard, life is not easy, we’re never promised a cakewalk by any means, but if you do the hard things, good things come out of it on the other side,” Schneider said.
Anyone who would like to benefit Schneider’s cause in helping the Life Time Foundation, can visit this link.
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