Launched in 2024, Team Adaptive was born with the ambition of reinventing the place of disabled athletes in trail running. It's a natural extension of our inclusion policy, designed to open the doors of trail running to all athletes in the long term, including those with disabilities.

After a first edition that left a lasting impression, Team Adaptive is back with renewed determination in 2025. Buoyed by the enthusiasm generated last year and the impact of its message on the world of trail running, the initiative is pursuing its objective for this second year: to bring about a lasting change in the way people look at disability, so that it is seen as a matter of course rather than an exception.

David Poletti shares his ambition and his role in this human project and, more generally, in the development of adapted trail running.

Adaptive trail running has become self-evident today, with a growing number of organisers incorporating this inclusive approach into their events. What makes its development so vital?

« Adaptive trail running has become a key pillar today, responding to a growing need driven by the evolution of the sport and its community. For an event to truly embody inclusivity and bring people together, it must offer everyone the opportunity to participate under fair conditions, whatever their individual circumstances. Adaptive trail running showcases the spirit of pushing personal limits for all, while creating a more open and accessible environment. This approach also encourages innovation and technological development, both in terms of equipment and the accessibility of routes. It also enriches the sport, diversifying the community of participants and attracting a broader audience. Moreover, the inclusion of athletes with disabilities plays a vital role in shifting perceptions, increasing visibility for disability in sport, and redefining how we understand athletic achievement. Today, inclusivity — both in trail running and in sport more widely — has become a cornerstone of modern sport, bringing social, cultural, and economic benefits. It represents a crucial step towards making sport universal, fostering equal opportunity, and enhancing the experience for every participant. »

How did Team Adaptive come about in 2024, and what is its purpose? Could you also tell us about the Adaptive Policy?

« The Adaptive Policy is a set of guidelines designed to welcome participants with disabilities, provided they are able to complete the course under their own power. The aim is to break down barriers to entry and create a supportive, inclusive environment — while maintaining the integrity of the racing experience. This policy is built on two complementary pillars. First, runners who request it and meet the eligibility criteria are given Adaptive Status, which comes with tailored support and accommodations to enable full participation. Second, Team Adaptive brings this vision to life, uniting athletes from diverse backgrounds who serve as catalysts for change and sources of inspiration. Team Adaptive leads the way as a standard-bearer. From its inception the team was designed to reflect the richness of diversity: athletes with visible and invisible disabilities — physical, mental or sensory — women and men, representing several continents. All share the conviction that disability should be a natural part of sport, not an exception. Buoyed by the enthusiasm of its first season and the impact it made within the trail running community, Team Adaptive returns this year with a clear goal: to shift perceptions of disability for good. This is about more than participation—it is about representation, leading by example, and inspiring others.

This year, Team Adaptive brings together 14 athletes of different nationalities, united by three core principles:

• Making disability a natural part of sport, not an exception
• Putting teamwork at the heart of the adventure
• Inspiring through action

Their presence prompts questions and sometimes challenges, but above all, it inspires — giving hope to those who hesitate to take part, and teaching others about humility, resilience, and new dimensions of performance. We will know we have succeeded when we are no longer talking about inclusion, but simply about sport. »

What practical measures are in place at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc races to welcome these athletes?

« Our guiding philosophy is simple: implement only those measures that level the playing field. Less is often more. Key adaptations include the authorisation of a dedicated guide, enabling athletes to focus on their race rather than their disability and the challenges that it may bring. Access to the UTMB World Series Finals is made more attainable for certain runners — requiring only 1 Running Stone, recognising the greater planning, logistical challenges, commitment and recovery time needed to participate. It is more difficult to compete in as many events as able-bodied runners to collect Running Stones. Where necessary, we also provide direct bib collection, avoiding the excessive fatigue for an amputee or sensory overload for runners with Autism Spectrum Disorder that queuing in a crowd may cause. Above all, internal communication is essential. Everyone who may interact with these athletes — our team members and volunteers — receives information and guidance to ensure awareness and understanding, especially as mountain events often present unforeseen circumstances. This is key: everyone must be able to respond with calm and adaptability. It is important to note that time barriers remain unchanged and, apart from the permitted guide, no additional assistance is allowed, nor are there alternative routes, except in rare, justified cases. For example, in 2024, a joëlette was permitted to use a 4x4 track when the main path was inaccessible. All athletes cover the same course. Our aim is to level the playing field so every runner experiences the same race. »

Has Team Adaptive already helped to change attitudes?

« Yes absolutely. We can clearly feel that there is strong interest in this project, and the feedback has been very positive. The media gave excellent coverage to the first edition, which provided fantastic visibility for Team Adaptive and the important message it carries — that’s what matters most. We’ve received very positive feedback, not only from the athletes themselves but also from other participants and parents at the event. This project sparks dialogue and discussion, which is precisely its goal. Without visibility, people don’t think about these issues — and without that awareness, it’s hard to move collective thinking forward. More concretely, we’ve seen a significant increase in applications for Adaptive Status over the past few months since HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2024. Additional applications are still being processed, and we hope to see this trend continue! We’re also seeing more athletes with disabilities lining up at UTMB World Series events, which is a great source of pride. But there’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re determined to go even further in the future! »

We are still in the early stages of such initiatives. What are the priorities for the future?

« The foundations are in place and feedback from athletes has been positive, there is real momentum and a growing demand, which is encouraging. However, there is more to be done: some disabilities, like autism, are not yet fully recognised, despite their real impact. We are also working to make event villages, start/finish lines, and expo areas more accessible. Improvements like these quickly become obvious once the issues are understood. Team Adaptive’s mission is to keep these questions at the forefront, creating dialogue and inspiring progress at every level. The 2025 project will see new developments — watch this space. “Ultimately, our hope is that one day, there will be no need to talk about adaptive sport; there will simply be sport. »