Fueling Growth, Redefining Possible
The Campaign for Achilles International
In 1983, Achilles began as a track club in Central Park for a small group of people with disabilities. Today, it is now a leading adaptive running nonprofit transforming the lives of youth, adults and military veterans with disabilities around the world. The Campaign for Achilles has an ambitious $25 million goal. Your support will bring us one step and one push closer to expanding our resources and reach, deepening our impact and breaking down barriers to the start line for athletes with disabilities.
Watch Us Redefine Possible
The Need
One billion people worldwide* and one in four Americans live with a disability. Half of adults with disabilities in the U.S.* are physically inactive and often shut out of sports like running as barriers to participation still exist.
*World Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control
Our $25 Million Goal Will Help Expand
-
Start Lines
Achilles has created a U.S. and international grant program to fund race related financial barriers so more athletes with disabilities can reach their goals.
-
Resources
To help more athletes get to their start line, Achilles will provide more adaptive equipment and staffing support for its grassroots chapter network.
-
Impact
Achilles will expand its supportive and welcoming community to reach more youth, adults and military veterans with disabilities.
Why Now?
Our vision for the future is bold. Through this comprehensive campaign, we are committed to fueling growth on every level – from expanding our organizational reach to nurturing the personal growth of each athlete we serve. By increasing the number of start lines available to athletes with disabilities, we create more opportunities for individual transformation and achievement. We're not just growing our programs, we're fueling a movement that redefines what's possible in adaptive running, empowering athletes to grow beyond perceived limitations and reach new heights in their athletic journeys. Why now?
Lack of Access and Opportunity: Many athletes with disabilities face physical, logistical, and financial barriers that prevent them from participating in the sport of running and mainstream running events. We create inclusive pathways so that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to compete, train, and thrive.
Isolation: Too often, people with disabilities are left out of sports and fitness communities. Achilles fosters belonging, connection, and support, ensuring that people of all ages and military veterans with disabilities are seen, valued, and encouraged.
Health Disparities: Athletes with disabilities are at higher risk of sedentary lifestyles and associated health challenges. Through the sport of running, we promote physical fitness, mental resilience, and overall improved well-being.
Representation and Visibility: We advocate for race accessibility, guide programs, and visibility of athletes with disabilities (AWDs) to ensure a more equitable and representative sport of running. If you don’t see yourself on the course, you don’t start.
Donor Spotlights
Learn more about the individuals and corporations who support the Campaign for Achilles and make our work possible.
