Len Leshem spends birthday on exercise bike

It's not the way most would spend their birthday, but then again Len Leshem is not like most people.

He combined his passion for fitness with his devotion to supporting worthy causes – especially Delaware Special Olympics – to celebrate his 79th birthday Jan. 25 spinning on an exercise bike for eight hours.

Leshem of Lewes spent the day on his favorite bike at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach to raise money to purchase playground equipment for the YMCA preschool program and for the Special Olympics Delaware Young Athletes program, which serves more than 1,000 children ages 2-7.

Leshem's fitness journey began about the same time a friend asked him to help out at a Special Olympics track practice. Suddenly, his two passions were ignited at about the same time.

Over the past three decades, he has participated in more than 100 long-distance events including marathons, triathlons and open-water swims. He ran his first 5K race at the age of 50 and competed in his first Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii at the age of 65. He qualified and ran the Boston Marathon in 2006.

While spinning at the YMCA is not unusual for Leshem, he said spending eight hours straight on the bike was a challenge. “The last 45 minutes was pretty tough,” he said.

Leshem said he is well on his way to his fundraising goal of $10,000 to $12,000. This is the first time he's used his birthday to raise money.

The experienced athlete has raised nearly $250,000 over the years for Special Olympics with a variety of fundraisers. He's also active as an organizer and participant in the annual Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge each February in Rehoboth Beach.

“Len's dedication to our program in so many ways throughout the years is really astounding when you sit back and think about it,” said Ann Grunert, Special Olympics Delaware executive director. “His tireless efforts are outdone only by his passion for the athletes we serve, whose lives he has helped change through his coaching and fundraising efforts.”

A passion for Special Olympics

“I thought I should start giving something back to someone, but had no idea what it was,” Leshem said.

That something turned out to be Special Olympics. It was 30 years ago when he was invited to help at a track practice at Brandywine High School.

“I walked out onto the track, and a kid ran up and jumped into my arms. I still get goosebumps thinking about it today,” he said.

He has coached hundreds of Special Olympics athletes in a variety of sports including running, swimming, cycling, skiing and powerlifting. “It's been a great run and is still going,” he said. “I find it very inspiring to see the progress the kids make.”

Lethem moved with his wife, Susan, to Lewes 15 years ago after living in the Wilmington area and retiring from General Motors.

Donations can be made at firstgiving.com/fundraiser/Len or by sending a check to: Special Olympics Delaware, 619 South College Ave., Newark, DE 19716, att: Leshem fundraiser.