Lighting the Way Forward: How Paratriathlete Owen Cravens Is Racing Toward His Dreams With Stargardt Disease

Some athletes inspire us because of their speed. Others because of their strength. And then there are athletes like Owen Cravens , who inspire us because of their heart (and speed and strength too!). A talented young paratriathlete from Arizona, Owen lives with Stargardt disease — a rare inherited retinal condition that causes progressive loss of central vision. For many families, the diagnosis feels like a door closing. For Owen, it became the beginning of something extraordinary. A Chance Encounter That Left a Lasting Impact We had the joy of meeting Owen and his family last year at a college triathlon. His mom was the first to wave us over, extending kindness in the effortless way that rare disease families often do — a silent understanding, a shared experience, an instant connection. Owen’s warmth, grit, and optimism filled the space around him long before we heard his story. And once we did, it was impossible not to feel moved. Racing With Purpose Triathlon is a demanding sport for anyone — long miles, long hours, and even longer days of training. But when you have a condition l