Jackpot Ultra Running Festival Welcomes Blind Runners

February 4, 2020

Blind Runners Competing Along USA Track & Field Elite Ultra Runners

 Blind Runners Competing Along USA Track & Field Elite Ultra Runners

HENDERSON, NEVADA – February 4, 2020 – Beyond Limits Running, the owner and producer of the 7^th Annual Jackpot Ultra Running Festival (Jackpot), Southern Nevada’s premier ultra-running endurance event, announced today two new partnership with National Federation of the Blind of Nevada (NFBNV) and Achilles International of Las Vegas. The partnership encourages and promotes blind runners to run in one of the country’s preeminent ultra-running endurance events and other endurance events across the southwest. To kick-off the partnership, two local blind runners including Terri Rupp, the President of NFBNV, will be running their first ultra-race when they toe the line to compete in the 12-hour race at Jackpot. The festival takes place February 14-17, 2020 at Cornerstone Park in Henderson, NV, featuring the USA Track & Field 100-Mile Road National Championship race along with 6/12/24/48-hour races, a 50-mile race and standard 100-mile race.

Ken Rubeli, co-founder of Beyond Limits Running and co-race director of Jackpot stated, “My wife, Stephanie Rubeli, and I started Beyond Limits 8 years ago to celebrate a life-saving double organ transplant due to Type-1 Diabetes, and to encourage runners, especially average runners, to run way past their perceived limits. Meeting a couple local blind runners with ambitions to tackle their first ultra-marathon gave me goosebumps as I remembered the day my wife earned her first 50K ultra medal just 4 months after receiving a kidney/pancreas transplant. We are beyond honored to welcome Jackpot’s first blind runners, Terri Rupp and Pedro Navarro, along with their dedicated team of “sighted guide runners” from Achilles International of Las Vegas who will run alongside Terri and Pedro.”

Terri Rupp, President of National Federation of the Blind of Nevada commented, “This is not just a run; this is an opportunity to show that with proper training and opportunity, blind people can accomplish anything. I look forward to expanding our relationship with Beyond Limits Running and Achilles International of Las Vegas to encourage more blind runners to compete in athletic events.”

John Sterling, President of Achilles International of Las Vegas stated, “At Achilles Las Vegas, we strive to raise expectations.  Our goal is not only to raise the expectations our blind athletes have of themselves and their ability to accomplish anything, but also raise the expectations of the sighted community and that the blind can do anything sighted people can do and probably more”.

The 7^th Annual Jackpot Ultra Running Festival will be held February 14-16, 2020 at Cornerstone Park, a picturesque bird sanctuary lake park owned by the City of Henderson, Jackpot’s 2020 Presenting Sponsor.  All races start at 8:00 AM MST on Saturday, Feb 15, except for the 48-hour race and the USA Track & Field 100 Mile Road National Championship race, which both begin Friday, Feb 14 at 8:00 AM MST.

About Beyond Limits Running:

Co-founded 8 years ago by a double organ transplant recipient and her husband, Beyond Limits Running was formed to help all runners, especially average runners, run way past their perceived limits by competing in ultra distance running events. Known for its over-the-top festive events, Beyond Limits Running produces the Jackpot Ultra Running Festival, the Beyond Limits Ultra Race, and the Happy Hippie Harvest Run.  Learn more at www.BeyondLimitsRunning.com.

About the National Federation of the Blind:

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org.

About Achilles International of Las Vegas:

Achilles provides training, support, and guides for blind and disabled runners.  It was started in 1983 by Dick Traum, the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon.  At Achilles, we create an environment of support and community. Within this community, our athletes gain physical strength and confidence, which often translates to other areas of their lives. While our programs focus on running. The truth is that running is simply a tool for accomplishing our main objective: to bring hope, inspiration, and the joys of achievement to all. Learn more about Achilles International by visiting www.achillesinternational.com.

Media and Contact:

Ken Rubeli
Co-Owner, Beyond Limits Running
Ken@BeyondLimitsRunning.com
(702) 408-5268