In June 2025, Dr Chris Lekich took on the world’s toughest endurance cycling challenge, the Race Across America, battling searing heat, brutal headwinds, and nearly 10,000 metres of elevation. After 861.5 miles (1,386 km) and 3 days, 15 hours, and 7 minutes of relentless riding, his race was cut short when pneumonia forced him into hospital.
But this journey was never just about crossing the finish line.
It is about shining a light on Lipoedema, a misunderstood and underdiagnosed disease affecting millions of women. Dr Lekich’s courage and determination proves how far he is willing to go to make Lipoedema visible. And while this race may be over, the mission is only just beginning.
time
3 Days, 15 Hours, 7 Minutes
distance
861.5 miles (1,386 km)
elevation
31,860 ft (9,710 m)
ABOUT THE RACE ACROSS AMERICA
The world’s toughest bicycle race covering almost 5,000km across the USA. Only 2-3 hours of sleep per night for 12 relentless days starting June 10, 2025. Cycling through deserts, mountains, hallucinations, and exhaustion.
Dr Chris Lekich
I am Dr. Chris Lekich, mild mannered doctor by week, crazy accidental ultra-cyclist by weekend. I am on a mission to bring global awareness to a debilitating yet misunderstood disease called lipedema, affecting approximately 390 million women worldwide. This year I undertook three major ultra-endurance cycling challenges, with the flagship event being the Race Across America (RAAM)—one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
WHY IS DR CHRIS PARTICIPATING?
To shine a global spotlight on Lipedema, breaking the cycle of misdiagnosis and raising awareness about the condition’s impact on women worldwide. All while creating critical engagement with governments, health departments, insurance companies, and medical defence organisations.
At the heart of this campaign lies the Lipedema patient. Ride to Walk With Freedom represents an unparalleled opportunity to amplify their voices, drive sustainable treatments, and advocate for their care worldwide. As a phlebologist and Lipedema expert, my career has been dedicated to advocacy, education, and developing innovative solutions for patients. The Ride to Walk With Freedom represents one of the most significant campaigns to raise global awareness for Lipedema.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
What is Lipedema?
What Is Lipedema: Lipedema is frequently underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed as obesity, with devastating physical and emotional impacts, leading to isolation, depression, and chronic pain. It’s a silent epidemic affecting mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends, women whose voices deserve to be heard.
Awareness is the first vital step!
How can Community get involved?
At its heart, Ride to Walk With Freedom is about far more than Dr Lekich’s ride across America—it’s a global mission to raise awareness for Lipedema and drive meaningful change for the millions of women affected by this often misunderstood disease. We need your voice to make it happen.
Here’s how you can get involved and help amplify this movement…
"The Fight to Walk with Freedom”
We’re also excited to announce that Chris’s new book “The Fight to Walk with Freedom” is now available!
Not only does the book shine a light on the lived experience of Lipedema, but 20% of all sales are donated to Lipedema charities nominated by leading experts around the world.
Together, we can ride—and speak—for those who have fought too long to be heard
