Arvada Man Riding 3,000 Miles In Cross-Country Lawnmower Race

ARVADA, CO — An Arvada man will be racing 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to New York on a lawnmower as part of a new reality show.

Stephen Zampieri, a carpenter and father of two, is participating in "The Great Grass Race," which will be streamed on a new website, Menace Vision. The race includes six teams, and each participant will ride a 5.5 mph Craftsman T110 lawnmower.

Zampieri, who was born in Alabama, served as a U.S. Marine Corps combat engineer in Japan and South Korea. The Arvadan has also used his carpentry skills to help others — he's participated in missions to Spain, Romania, Mozambique, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

One of his greatest talents in the race will be the ability to fix anything that might break down along the 3,000-mile route.

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Zampieri said he loves challenges.

“Challenges teach you that life isn’t as hard as you might think it is,” he said. “The secret to being an overcomer is allowing Jesus to open our eyes and see all things are possible.”

Zampieri, a proud member of Red Rocks Church, said his faith will help him in the long race.

“God’s always got my back,” he said.

>> The race kicks off Friday — you can watch Zampieri compete on the Menace Vision website.