Inspired By The Best

This month we meet up with joe de sena. Born and raised in queens, new york, joe is founder of the worldwide spartan race obstacle event series and the gruelling death race.

- Joe De Sena

How did you first get into running and Ironman events?

I first got into running and Ironman as a way to escape reality on Wall Street. I needed a way to stay fit. I wanted a way to stay healthy, and clear my mind, and I happened to meet somebody in the stairwell who was running up and down the stairs. He turned me on to a couple of the racing events; I fell in love with them. I transformed myself when I got to those places we all get to, where I just wanted water, food and shelter, and the rest is history.

What made you move on to taking part in tougher challenges?

Once I completed one event, I wanted to do something harder. I guess I wanted to find out what I was made of, and so I just kept signing up for harder and harder events. I just wanted to be pushed. Something’s probably wired wrong in my head!

You came up with the Death Race. Tell us about that and the challenges you hope to set for the participants?