Jeff Leininger might be the oldest in Race to Survive Alaska, but he’s got the stamina of a 20-year-old. Infact, Jeff might be the most experienced player in the game as he’s been racing his whole life.
Keep reading this Jeff Leininger Bio to learn more about him.
Jeff Leininger On Race To Survive Alaska
Jeff Leininger paired up with his son Hunter Leininger to compete against seven other pairs on USA Network’s Race to Survive Alaska. Competing for a chance to win $500,000, these teams participated in six intense races over 40 days without planes, trains, and automobiles to help them get around. Overall, they had to endure more than 100 miles of inhospitable, previously unexplored terrain on the strength of their own two feet with nothing but only what they can carry.
So, this also meant that Jeff had to utilize his primitive survival skills to source his own food, water, and shelter. Moreover, being on the dangerous Alaskan coastline, marked by its sprawling mountain ranges, ancient glaciers, suffocating rainforests, and threatening wildlife, certainly didn’t make things easier.
However, the game wasn’t so new to Jeff as he’s raced and even managed race events professionally for decades. He, alongside his son, even was a part of World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, which was hosted by Bear Grylls.
Thanks to his passion, Hunter grew up racing as well, Just at the age of 11, he even became the youngest finisher of the 24-Hour National Championship, the record of which was previously held by a 23-year-old. From there, he went on to set multiple other World Records including being the “Youngest Finisher of the Adventure Racing World Championships” and “The Worlds Toughest Race”.
After completing most of these toughest adventure races in the world, Hunter then started broadening his horizons towards endurance mountain bike racing and Ultrarunning where again he set dozens of records. So far, he’s won the races: 30-Hour Cauldron Adventure Race, the 24-Hour Oak Mountain Adventure Race, 12-Hour Blue Ridge Adventure Race, and 10-Hour CARE Adventure Race.
Jeff Leininger Wife
Jeff Leininger was single in 2023. But he has had two wives in the past.
His first wife, Melissa Kegelman Carignan is the mother of his sons Hunter and Cameron Leininger (a Creekside High School graduate who was in the military). She was born in Oct 1976 in Orlando, Florida. Find her on IG @melissacarignan333 and FB @melissa.k.leininger.
After the split, Melissa went on to marry Michael Carignan (a The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina graduate) on December 15, 2012. A year later, the duo then welcomed their son Ian on September 6.
Now, as of 2023, Melissa and Michael are married for over a decade and Michael’s the happiest she’s ever been. “I couldn’t have picked a better partner to do this life with than you Michael Carignan,” she once dedicated a post to him.
So, while Melissa went on to have a good life with Michael, Jeff married Shauna Owens Leininger @shauna.owensleininger.
Jeff said that he was a single guy having a $6 meal before he met Shauna. After he started dating her, the cost doubled and after they got married the meals drop back to about $6 (for both of them) as they cooked at home. Then, they had kids and meals went to about $80. So, later, as the kids moved out, they ate a $30 meal. “In the last days at the nursing home, I should be back to $6 meals,” he said.
Sadly, Jeff’s second marriage didn’t work out either.
Fun Fact: Shauna tagged around with Jeff and Hunter on her new bike in April 2017. Considering she was a newbie, she did awesome on her first ride on a single track (with only 2 falls and no bones broken).
Who Are Jeff Leininger Parents?
Jeff Leininger was close to his parents, Edna Gayle Leininger and Marston “Vic” Leininger.
Sadly, his mother took her last breath on February 24, 2020, at the age of 79.
As for his siblings, Jeff has a sister named Julia (“Judy”) Seidl and a brother named Mark Leininger.
Jeff Leininger Age
Jeff Leininger was 54 years of age when he appeared on Race to Survive Alaska in 2023. That made him the oldest participant that season.
On the contrary, his son, Hunter (22 then) was the youngest contestant.
Jeff Leininger Job
Jeff Leininger is a bike racer and race director. So far, he has managed A1 World Cup, Expedition Colorado, Blue Ridge Ultra, Sea to Sea Expedition Race, Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race, and Blue Ridge Adventure Race.
Also, Jeff is the proud owner of Robot Costumes, a company that designs and sells robotic wear, and Argoergia, a business dedicated to Adventure Racing.
As for his education, Jeff went to Englewood High and Valencia Community College.
How Tall Is Jeff Leininger?
Jeff Leininger stands tall at a height of above 6 feet (183 cm).
Related FAQs
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When Is Jeff Leininger Birthday?
Jeff celebrates his birthday on September 22 and is of the Virgo zodiac.
He celebrated his 48th birthday by doing a 100-mile bike ride back home after being dropped at Norman Beach by his boss Steve.
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Where Is Jeff Leininger From?
Jeff hails from Orlando, Florida.
But he moved to Canton, Georgia in 2019 and resided there ever since.
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Is Jeff Leininger On Instagram And Facebook?
Find him on Facebook @jeff.leininger.
