Endurance athletes are built on resilience, but few embody that spirit like Scott Pederson. A decorated Nordic skier, marathoner, triathlete, and four-time IRONMAN finisher, Scott’s life changed forever on August 24, 2011, when he was struck by a car during a training ride for IRONMAN Wisconsin.

Dragged over 100 yards with his helmet lodged in the undercarriage of a vehicle, Scott was left with life-threatening injuries—broken facial bones, shattered vertebrae, a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and extensive skin damage. He survived, but the aftermath included a spinal cord injury, drop foot, and a permanent loss of muscle control in his right leg.

From Elite Athlete to Uncertain Recovery

For years, Scott thrived on endurance sports:

• 19 American Birkebeiner races
• 30+ ski marathons
• Multiple sub-three-hour running marathons
• Four full IRONMAN races

Post-accident, these accomplishments felt out of reach. Traffic anxiety made road cycling unbearable, and a later diagnosis of a vestibular schwannoma only compounded his struggles. Though he tried returning to riding, he faced fear and depression, unsure if he would ever regain the competitive joy sports once brought him.

In 2018, Scott cautiously returned to cycling—this time on mountain trails. Riding offered therapy and freedom away from cars. But another setback awaited. While navigating a high-speed turn, his pedal caught an edge, sending him crashing and breaking his neck a second time.

Discovering CAF-Idaho and Rediscovering Purpose

While recovering from his second neck injury, Scott found the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Idaho chapter (CAF-Idaho). Initially a donor inspired by its mission, he soon joined the CAF-Idaho Cycling Club, reconnecting with a community of athletes who understood the challenges of adapting to life after trauma.

It was there that Scott met “One Arm” Willie Stewart, a legendary challenged athlete and the first to complete the Leadville 100 ultramarathon series and earn the coveted Leadman title.

“After watching him ride, I knew he was tough,” Willie said. “It was pretty clear that he was strong enough and smart enough to possibly finish Leadville. Taking this risk shows his true character.”

Preparing for the Leadville 100 MTB

For many cyclists, finishing the Leadville Trail 100 MTB is a lifetime achievement. Spanning 104 miles and 13,129 feet of climbing, the grueling course tests even the fittest able-bodied riders. Fewer than 30% finish under the 12-hour cutoff, making it one of the toughest endurance challenges in North America.

Nearly a decade after his accident, Scott set his sights on Leadville—not just to race, but to prove to himself and others that devastating injuries don’t have to end an athlete’s journey. Training alongside Willie Stewart, Scott logged over 3,500 miles in preparation for the August 2021 race.

“Participating in this iconic race is a dream for mountain bikers of all abilities,” Scott said. “But wearing the CAF kit makes it even more meaningful. I hope I can inspire other athletes to overcome their own roadblocks and keep pushing.”

Racing with Heart and Grit

On race day, nearly 2,000 riders filled the starting corrals in Leadville, Colorado, adjusting packs and bracing for thin mountain air. For Scott, the moment was more than a start line—it marked 10 years since the accident that nearly claimed his life.

Riding beside Willie Stewart and other challenged athletes, Scott tackled punishing climbs and rocky descents with determination, proving that resilience and adaptive sports innovation can rewrite what’s possible after spinal cord injuries.

A New Chapter in Adaptive Mountain Biking

Scott’s journey continues beyond Leadville. Through CAF-Idaho and the friendships he’s built on the trails, he has found renewed confidence, camaraderie, and a purpose-driven approach to sport. His story highlights the transformative power of community, mentorship, and a refusal to surrender dreams despite physical challenges.