These Are the Athletes Who Will Be Defending the 'Million Dollar Mile'
Updated March 26 2019, 3:23 p.m. ET
Lebron James' new reality competition series, Million Dollar Mile, sounds simple enough: Complete the mile-long obstacle course and win $1 million.
However, the three-time NBA champion, who is also the CBS series' executive producer, wants to make it nearly impossible for contestants to actually complete the challenge filmed in Downtown Los Angeles. Along with obstacles such as the "Bamboo Forest" and Deep Water Solo," world-class athletes will also be chasing the contestants with the sole goal of beating them to the finish line.
And by world-class, we mean Lebron and his team found the best of the best, which includes Spartan Race champions and a former Green Beret. NBD.
"We searched the globe to find the best athletes to defend the Million Dollar Mile. You may not know their names, but you’re about to,” executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan said in a statement. "These 'Defenders' combine strength and speed with a level of endurance and mental toughness like you’ve never seen before. They are driven…they don’t like to lose and when they are chasing runners down on the streets of Los Angeles it’s truly riveting!"
Keep scrolling to meet all the Million Dollar Mile defenders:
1. Emma "The Kiwi Killer" Chapman
The New Zealand native is a Crossfit athlete and the reigning Tough Mudder X World Champion. Emma was also a member of the New Zealand Women's soccer national team.
Instagram: @emmaharry57
2. Max "The Machine" Fennell
Max is the first African-American professional triathlete, and he has completed 54 triathlons to date. Along with his success cycling, swimming and running, Max is also the CEO of FennCoffee.
His pro tip for getting into tip-top shape, "Eat Lots of Greens! My grandmother told me that!"
Instagram: @maxfennell
3. Rebecca "The Harvard Hammer" Hammond
Not only did Rebecca just place second at the Spartan American Championship AND the Spartan World Championships, but she is also currently enrolled as a fourth-year medical student at Harvard.
"Run of the mill female, running obstacle races and trying to finish med school," she wrote on her Instagram bio. "Friends and family call me The Harvard Hammer."
Instagram: @becchamm
4. Veejay "The Young Gun" Jones
Veejay, 20, earned his nickname after becoming the youngest Spartan Race winner in history. Veejay is also American OCR 3k Short Course Champion, which could explain why he also goes by the nickname "The Prodigy."
Instagram: @veejay_jones
5. Robert "The Captain" Killian
One of the oldest "defenders" on the show at age 37, Robert is a former Green Beret who was named the "Army Athlete of the Year" in 2010. Robert currently serves in the California National Guard.
Oh, and he also happens to hold the record for the most podium finishes in the Spartan Race World Championships. Age is nothing but a number...
Instagram: @robert_killian
6. Hunter "The Sheriff" McIntyre
Don't be fooled by his model good looks — he literally is a model, BTW – Hunter is the reigning Tough Mudder X World Champion and he has six world OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) titles.
Instagram: @huntthesheriff
7. Erik "The Beast From the East" Mukhametshin
Erik is originally from Russia, and considered one of the country's leading stuntmen. This defender is also a world-renowned free runner and the current Guinness World Record holder for both the furthest and highest wall flips.
According to his Insta bio, he is also a finalist of Ninja Warrior Russia.
Instagram: @erik3run
8. Faye "The Canadian Crusher" Stenning
Another athlete from abroad, Faye, 29, was part of Team Canada, which placed third at the 2018 Spartan Team World Championships. Faye has also excelled individually, placing second at the 2016 and 2018 Spartan U.S. Championships.
Instagram: @fayestenning_ocr
9. Isaiah "The Destroyer" Vidal
Isaiah with fellow defender Hunter McIntyre.
The most decorated OCR athlete in the world, Isaiah has competed in over 150 races and placed more than 80 times. The 25-year-old is also known for biking from Texas to Vermont to compete in the Spartan World Championship, where he finished in the Top 10.
Instagram: @isaiahvidal
10. Orla "The Vermaniac" Walsh
In case you wondering, her nickname is a combination of her home state of Vermont and the word maniac. She earned the nickname for her speed, strength and endurance.
She is also a flight nurse, ski patrol medic, and 2019 Spartan Stadium Champ. Orla is one tough chick!
Instagram: @orlawalsh16
