CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — As Harvey Lewis trains in six layers of clothing for the World's Toughest Foot Race, the former champion has redemption is on his mind.

What You Need To Know

  • Harvey Lewis is one of only 100 people in the world competing in Badwater in California's Death Valley

  • Lewis is a University of Cincinnati graduate and high school history teacher

  • His goal is to finish the 135-mile race in under 24 hours

  • Badwater takes place July 19 through July 21 

He's one of only 100 people in the world competing in Badwater in California's Death Valley, a place that in July reaches temperatures of over 120 degrees. 

“When you start the race, you feel like you're in a sauna. You can smell the wood like it's burning. And you can see for over 50 miles from where you're going to start to where you're going to turn up a mountain,” Lewis said. 

But for this University of Cincinnati graduate and high school history teacher of more than 20 years, it's all part of the experience. 

Lewis, who won Badwater in 2014, finished third in 2019. In 2020, the race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now, at age 45, he's more poised than ever to stretch his body to the limit and recapture the top prize with a goal of finishing the grueling 135-mile race in under 24 hours. 

“I really have to be wise and watch my pace, know the mountain, where to push and where to like ease up. And that is where an older runner can sometimes outperform their younger self,” Lewis said. 

And over his more than two decades as an ultramarathon runner, Lewis said he hopes to continue inspiring others to give 110% no matter their passion. 

“I'm never content like I always have something out there and I always hope to have something out there. I hope to continue to run until I'm 99 like my friend Mike Fremont. Whether you walk, hike, cycle or whatever, just being out in nature is what's sometimes the greatest thing. I think back to the eagles here, at the Canal Park, they kind of float up the mountain, float down on the mountain. You just have to do whatever it takes mentally to get through those places that seem insurmountable,” Lewis said. 

Badwater takes place July 19 through July 21 in Death Valley California. 

This fall, Lewis will represent Team USA at the World 24-hour race competition. 

For more on Lewis and his storied Ultramarathon career, click here.