Montreal teen with prosthetic leg overcomes obstacles at Spartan Race

Steep hills, mud pits and barbed wire — none of it will stop Jeffrey Beausoleil as he runs a 21-kilometre, obstacle-filled race to raise $10,000 for the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Jeffrey Beausoleil, 17, was born with no right foot or arm and has been a patient of the hospital since he was five months old.

He entered Sunday's Spartan Race at Owl's Head, near Sherbrooke, to show his appreciation to the hospital and its staff.

"I feel like I need to give back to them because they have done so much," the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu resident told CBC News.

"I feel like I need to give them back something and at the same time, it's a good cause.

• Giving back through Spartan races
• How will the trade affect P.K. Subban's $10M pledge to the Children's Hospital?

The Beast

But completing the 21-kilometre "Beast" Spartan Race is no easy way to give back, even for elite athletes.

Like all the contestants, Beausoleil will have to overcome more than 30 obstacles on the course, not to mention almost 30-degree heat. And he will do all this while wearing a prosthetic leg.

Beausoleil started the race at 7:30 a.m. He's not expected to finish before Sunday evening.

But Beausoleil says he's lucky to have the company of his father, uncle and two friends.

"It's priceless, you know. It's amazing. It gives me, like, more energy to do it," he said.

Spartan Race in 90 seconds

11 years ago

Duration 1:30

Watch what thousands of racers had to persevere through on Saturday in Wakefield, Que.

Going for the Trifecta

Beausoleil is as competitive as he is charitable, saying above all he's hoping to challenge himself. 

"I could've done a lot of things but not a lot of people do races like this and it's a big challenge for me," he said Sunday while taking a short break in the race.

The Montrealer has already run the 5-kilometre "Sprint" and 13-kilometre "Super" Spartan Races. Completing the "Beast" would make Beausoleil one of only a few to have earned the "Trifecta" medal.

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"I think it proves to any kid with disabilities that they can overcome anything they want. I want to inspire people," he said.

To get to the finish line, Beausoleil will approach the race the same way he's approached life.

"It's pretty hard, the hills are pretty steep. We're taking it one step at a time."

You can support Beausoleil's fundraising efforts here.