Sonika Kamble
‘Race To Survive: Alaska’ is USA Network’s thrilling reality show where teams of two race against each other to outperform their competitors. Most of them are athletes, wanderers, mountaineers, and experienced hikers. The same can be said about Jeff and his son Hunter Leninger. The father’s wise and sound advice and his son’s energy are a killer combo. If you are curious about how these two found themselves on the show, here’s all you must know about them.
Jeff and Hunter: Family Ties and Adventurous Background
Jeff is a proud 53-year-old father to his son, Hunter, who is now 21. The former completed high school at Englewood High and later attended Valencia Community College. The duo hails from Orlando, Florida, and currently resides in Canton, Georgia. Jeff instilled his love for adventure racing in his son, who has accomplished many achievements at a young age. Hunter set the record for being the youngest adventure racer at the tender age of 7.
Hunter has 7 Mountain Biking Endurance records and 3 for Expedition Racing and Ultrarunning Fastest Known Times. Moreover, he holds 4 Adventure Racing National Records. As reports suggest, Hunter gained interest in the sport after wanting to try something new besides soccer. The young boy asked Jeff to let him participate in a race, and he completed it within 6 hours.
Jeff and Hunter’s Professional Life
Jeff Leininger is a Race Director at several events; he started in 2014 at Blue Ridege Adventure Race. Since then, he’s held the same position at Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race, Sea to Sea Expedition Race, Blue Ridge Ultra, Expedition Colorado, and A1 World Cup. Currently, Jeff owns Robot Costumes, a company that designs and sells robotic wear, and Argoergia, a business dedicated to Adventure Racing.
Jeff and Hunter were also a part of ‘World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji,’ which was documented on TV and hosted by Bear Grylls. The most impressive record set by Hunter was at the age of 11 when he became the youngest finisher of the 24-Hour National Championship, and the record was previously held by a 23-year-old. As stated earlier, he began participating in races when he was only 7, yet his first victory came to him in 2014, at 12, when he finished first at the 2014 Palmetto Swamp 12-hour adventure Charleston.
After competing in multiple other races, Hunter was placed first again when he turned 13 at the Turkey Burn 12-hour adventure race. But ever since he turned 16, Hunter had a fleet of victories at the 2018 Atlanta Adventure Challenge, Florida 24-Hour Adventure Race, Blankets Creeks 6-hour MTB race, and Earth Day 18-hour adventure race. In 2017 he won the Florida State Championship Adventure Race, 12-Hour Nocturnal Challenge, and Graham Swamp 6-Hour MTB race. After turning 18, Hunter conquered more races like the 2020 Longhaul 100-mile Trail Run, the 2019 Nomad 48-Hour Adventure Race, and Graham Swamp Ultra 100K.
At 19, the young athlete won 3 more races, i.e., 30 Hour Cauldron Adventure Race, the 24-Hour Oak Mountain Adventure Race, and 12-Hour Blue Ridge Adventure Race. His recent victory after turning 20 was at the 10-Hour CARE Adventure Race. Furthermore, Hunter has an Adventure Racing prep course for first-timers, returning, and veteran racers. He covers preparation, gear breakdown, training, racing strategies, and ideal mindset in the course. He even has a YouTube channel titled ‘Endurance Hunter,’ showcasing all his exciting experiences.
Jeff and Hunter Dating Prefers to Keep Their Dating Life Private
Per reports, Jeff Leininger is currently single or perhaps too private about his dating life. Yet, he still shares a cordial equation with his ex-partner and Hunter’s mother, Melissa Kegelman Carignan. She tied the knot with her second husband, Michael Carignan, 11 years ago and is now leading a fulfilling life. On the other hand, Hunter has also kept his personal life under wraps. Nevertheless, he’s undoubtedly great at making new friends and cherishing novel experiences. The father-son duo is built for ‘Race To Survive: Alaska.’ We cannot wait to see how they perform and amalgamate all their previous learning for future races.
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