Featured Athlete: Chad Crittenden
Wildflower Blog

Featured Athlete: Chad Crittenden

Before deciding to apply for CBS’ hit TV show Survivor, Chad Crittenden was a bilingual teacher, competitive soccer player, MTB competitor, and casual triathlete. What eventually prompted him to apply for the reality show was a diagnosis of Synovial Sarcoma, a rare and deadly form of cancer which produced a tumor on his foot. The treatment called for drastic surgery to remove his right foot, which eventually saved his life.

After the surgery and subsequent quick recovery, Chad became a Challenged Athlete and completed a sprint distance triathlon after 9 months. He then went on to excel on Survivor, revealing after 2 days that he indeed had a prosthetic foot, unbeknownst previously to the other contestants. In the challenges that followed, Chad worked to prove himself, breaking down stereotypes and preconceived notions while inspiring millions.

Since that life-changing experience, Chad has been a stay-at-home Dad, a consultant, and a motivational speaker with his main message revolving around creating the outcomes we want. Among his many motivational speaking achievements are two TEDx talks and keynoting the Positive Thinking Seminar for the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi. Athletic challenges include Xterra races, Wildflower, as well as the summit of Mt. Whitney on the way to a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro as part of a group ascent of the benefit of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Chad lives in Livermore, California with his wife and two children, and is very thankful for everything that he has. Recently, Chad and his family celebrated his being cancer free for 16 years.

Experience Wildflower: A Weekend Like No Other!

Wildflower is not just a race, it’s a full weekend festival. From live music spanning bluegrass to rock, to gourmet food trucks, yoga, and wine tastings, this event celebrates local culture while drawing athletes and visitors from around the globe.

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May 2 - 4, 2025

At its heart are iconic endurance events, including four triathlons from long distance to sprint distance, a gravel triathlon, a 20K trail run, 5K and 10K fun runs, and an open water swim. With family-friendly attractions, a kid’s race, and the stunning backdrop of Lake San Antonio, Wildflower is a can’t-miss festival experience! Follow us on social media for the latest updates.

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We’re proud to partner with these great brands to bring you an incredible event experience. Whether you’re drenched in sweat, sitting around the campfire or immersed in music, you've worked hard to get there and deserve to have the best time possible.

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Your Company can partner with Wildflower Experience to help celebrate one of the hottest California Endurance Sports tradition for over 35 years. Connect with over thousands of athletes from all over world to promote your Brand to this highly engaged and loyal audience.