From IM ABLE Foundation
On Sunday, July 13, athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities, including military veterans from IM ABLE Foundation’s Operation Lead from the Front program, will take on the Spartan Race in Palmerton. Supported by a dedicated network of volunteers and community partners, these determined participants are ready to face the demanding course with resilience, teamwork, and the shared goal of crossing the finish line together.
The Spartan Race is a renowned obstacle course race that combines distance running with 20+ rigorous physical challenges designed to test strength, endurance, and resilience. Participants are pushed to their limits through a variety of demanding obstacles requiring cardiovascular fitness, strength, and mobility. This weekend, participants representing the IM ABLE Foundation will be tackling the sprint distance course, covering approximately three miles of rugged terrain.
Known as one of the most challenging course locations in the country, the Palmerton race takes place at Blue Mountain Ski Area and sends participants uphill along steep ski slopes. Among the featured obstacles are wall climbs, sandbag carries, and the vertical cargo — a towering wall of cargo netting participants must scale. Racers will also endure the infamous barbed wire crawl, where they must traverse grass, dirt, rocks, and water on their hands and knees, often finishing the race covered in mud.
In a powerful display of collaboration and inclusion, the IM ABLE Foundation is partnering with national organizations, Dealers of Hope and Oscar Mike, to bring a record number of adaptive athletes to this year’s Spartan Race in Palmerton. Thanks to the support of these partner organizations, experienced volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves, will be on hand to assist athletes with disabilities. These volunteers not only bring deep expertise but also specialized equipment, ensuring every athlete has the opportunity to take on the same grueling course as their non-disabled peers.
“This race is about more than strength — it’s about showing what’s possible when we lift each other up,” said Becky Rennix, IM ABLE Program Director. “Our adaptive athletes are some of the most driven, courageous individuals you’ll meet, and their presence on the course is a powerful reminder of what true grit looks like.”
Volunteers supporting the adaptive athletes are essential to their success on the Spartan course. These athletes include individuals with leg amputations, wheelchair users, and others with visible and invisible disabilities. Each athlete with a physical or intellectual disability will be supported by a dedicated team of four to six trained volunteers, providing both physical assistance and constant encouragement throughout the race.
From navigating wheelchairs and handcycles up and down the steep, demanding terrain of Blue Mountain Ski Resort to assisting with physically intense obstacles, these volunteers bring more than just strength — they bring dedication, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to helping every athlete reach the finish line. Together, these athletes and their volunteer teams redefine what’s possible — proving that with determination, support, and heart, every finish line is within reach.
For more information, email Becky Rennix at becky@imablefoundation.org.
For more information about IM ABLE Foundation’s services or sponsorship, or to make a gift, please contact Director of Development Brian Sutherland at brian@imablefoundation.org or visit imablefoundation.org.
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Source: bctv