Why Achilles: A Place of Understanding
Tim Utzig lost his vision when he was 11-years-old after being diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. His passion for team sports like goalball laid the foundation for his love of running, which became a powerful means of destressing and connecting with his inner self. Find out why he runs with Achilles and how he has found a community of supportive and encouraging friends.
Why I Give: Achilles Transforms Fear Into Fuel
Valerie Hartman joined Achilles as a volunteer guide in 2021 to "create community and feel the power of doing something with purpose." Find out why she supports Achilles and how it has made a difference in her life.
Meet the Marathoners: This Mother-Daughter Duo Is Taking on the Chicago Marathon to Support Other Athletes with Disabilities
Samantha Rodriguez and her mother Karina have been racing and training together for the past six years. This mother daughter duo is using their passion for the sport to help support other athletes with disabilities by racing the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as Team Achilles charity runners. Read a Q&A.
Achilles Leads Conversation for NFL Employees on Volunteerism and Disability Inclusion with Tiki Barber
Achilles led a conversation for National Football League (NFL) employees with NFL ABLE and NFL Community Teammates resource groups on volunteering to help make the benefits of the sport of running more accessible to the disability community. Read a recap and watch the Zoom recording of the panel discussion.
Achilles Boston Athletes Race TD Beach to Beacon 10K For First Time
Achilles Boston athletes took to the streets of Cape Elizabeth, ME on August 5 to compete in the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race for the first time. Thanks to support from TD Bank, four chapter athletes and their guides participated. Read a race day recap.
Achilles Around the World Summer Update
Achilles members from all over the world have been beating the summer heat over the past few weeks by training hard and having fun with their teammates! From Zumba lessons to milestone races, Achilles athletes know how to make the most of the summer months. Read a quick recap of what some of our chapters have been up to.
Nearly 7,000 Racers Celebrate Disability Inclusion at Largest Achilles Hope & Possibility®
The 2023 Achilles Hope & Possibility® 4M presented by TD Bank held on June 25 in Central Park welcomed nearly 7,000 athletes with partner New York Road Runners (NYRR). The race is one of the largest of its kind in the country that shines a spotlight on disability inclusion welcoming athletes with and without disabilities to compete. Read a recap.
Achilles Hosts Panel on How to Be a Guide Runner with New York Road Runners and TD Bank
In celebration of the 2023 Achilles Hope & Possibility 4M presented by TD Bank, Achilles hosted a panel discussion with New York Road Runners on June 22 at the NYRR RUNCENTER in New York City on being a guide runner for athletes with disabilities. Read a recap and watch the full panel.
Achilles Expands Adaptive Cycling Program in Brooklyn and the Bronx Thanks to Support from Lyft’s Citi Bike®
Thanks to the increased support from Lyft’s Citi Bike® team, the Achilles NYC chapter can now provide even more access to adaptive cycling opportunities in Brooklyn and the Bronx. This May, Achilles began offering new handcycle and tandem bike workouts. Read more.
Achilles Relay Recap: Athletes and Veterans Pass Baton 500 Miles From Boston to Washington D.C. for Disability Inclusion
Achilles International athletes and military veterans with disabilities completed a 500-mile relay from Boston, MA to Washington, D.C. on May 15 to 23. Read a recap.
Achilles International Athletes and Veterans with Disabilities to Complete 500-Mile Relay from Boston, MA to Washington D.C. Starting May 15
Leading adaptive running nonprofit Achilles International is proud to host a 500-mile run, walk and wheeling journey from Boston, MA to Washington, D.C. for more than 100 members with and without disabilities.
Athletes with Disabilities Learn How to Run, Bike and Swim at Annual Triathlon Training Camp
Forty-five Achilles athletes and volunteers from New Jersey, Long Island, New York and Washington D.C. traveled to Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ to participate in the annual TriAchilles Spring Training Camp. Read a recap of the weekend.
A Guide’s View
Emily Lachtara, volunteer guide of Achilles Boston, shares her personal experience of what it was like to guide Justin through the 2023 Boston Marathon.
Achilles Athletes Win Their Divisions at the 127th Boston Marathon
Over 40 Achilles members from across the globe competed in the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17, 2023. Read a race weekend recap.
Meet the Marathoner: Blind Achilles Runner to Complete All Six Abbott World Marathon Majors This April in London
Prior to joining Achilles back in 2014, New York native Anthony Butler had never participated in any major races or even considered himself an athlete. Today, he is on track to compete in all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors by the end of April 2023. Read a short Q&A about Anthony’s journey.
Give the Gift of Running this Boston Marathon Weekend
Justin O' Connell, 32, of Achilles Boston, is gearing up to race in his hometown at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Make a tax deductible gift today and help athletes like Justin achieve new goals they might never have dreamed were possible.
What’s the Difference Between Racing Wheelchairs and Handcycles?
Both handcycles and racing wheelchairs are pieces of adaptive equipment for athletes with disabilities. Read some of the key differences between the two.
Achilles Kids Highlight Inclusion in T-Shirt Design Contest
Achilles Kids, ages 3 through 21, from Vancouver, WA to New York, NY, used their crayons and markers to showcase what they love about running, walking and wheeling with Achilles. View submissions from the Achilles Kids t-shirt design contest.
U.S. Veterans and Colombian First Responders with Disabilities Team Up for Media Maratón Del Mar Races
United States military veterans of the Achilles Freedom Team traveled to Cartagena, Colombia to compete in the Media Maratón Del Mar weekend races including a half marathon, a 5K, and a 10K with Achilles Colombia. Read a short race weekend recap.
Meet the Marathoner: MaryEllen Branna, Achilles New Jersey Guide Takes on Boston
MaryEllen Branna, a long-time volunteer guide of Achilles New Jersey, is giving back in another way this spring. She is taking on the 2023 Boston Marathon as a Team Achilles charity runner with a goal of raising $15,000.