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Helgi Olafson has a history of involvement as a patient advocate in the spondylitis and arthritis communities throughout the world.  He is portrayed by his peers as a success story when regarded using an “exercise as medicine” approach to dealing with the complications of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

As an ultra runner, Helgi likes to be one with the elements of nature and, due to his struggles and wins within his own battle with AS, Helgi has built the mental fortitude to put himself through some next level challenges, where the only way forward is through. In the 200 mile ultramarathon scene, he has become a figure of sorts, being very transparent about his struggles and triumphs to get to the finish line.  Helgi looks at every race as not only a journey, but also a battle.  This year, he is ready to take it to the next level.

Through social media outreach, articles, and many personal meet and greets at race expos, hospitals and other venues, Helgi has a captive audience of people cheering for me, the guy who is holding their torch. He not only runs to manage his own condition, but also he runs for people who aren’t as fortunate and as much as they’d like to, they may not be physically capable.  Helgi was diagnosed at age 19 with AS.  His diagnosing doctor was supportive and gave him options. He assured Helgi that his life wasn’t over. It had only just begun. Helgi was bound and determined to take these lemons that he was dealt and turn them into the sweetest lemonade the world had ever tasted. Helgi began his life’s new journey, focusing on living an active lifestyle while maintaining a positive attitude, and never stopping.

Helgi Olafson is a competitive endurance athlete, despite his debilitating condition.  His story has been featured in local newspapers and newscasts where he has raced, as well as through many online health publications and even as the first episode of This AS Life Live, alongside world famous musician Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons. Helgi Olafson has previously been featured as a speaker in the United Kingdom, Canada and the US.

The 2021 Trans Triple Crown of 200s Project will give supporters the opportunity to be brought into my headspace during such an epic, challenging adventure. The Project will benefit the Spondylitis Association of America. It will be a unique event that gives arthritis patients, ultra runners and average Joes the opportunity to get involved in the success of the fundraiser. Helgi and his team will be using GPS tracking and adhering to a daily schedule.  The team consists of two full time team members who will both play a role in setting up crew access points every day and filming/photographing the carnage, struggles and triumphs that Helgi and the crew will endure to keep Helgi going.  Though there will be times when Helgi is solo, there will also be one or more pacers at any given time who will join Helgi on most sections of the route. The route is mostly on trail. Some of the checkpoints that are easily accessible by road would not only represent meeting locations for supporters to cheer him on, but also act as locations for other runners to help pace for part of a section or even for a full day, or even multiple days.  Please check out the spreadsheet to see if you’d like to share some miles and smiles with Helgi or support this fundraiser by pledging your donation above.

To learn more about Helgi’s outreach work over the past few years, click on the link below:

https://linktr.ee/helgiolafson

Sincerely,
Helgi Spencer Olafson
(503)505-1437
helgiolafson@gmail.com