From IM ABLE Foundation
Photo courtesy of Austin Mitchell
Through mud, mountains, and some of the toughest obstacles the course had to offer, the IM ABLE Foundation community showed what is possible when people come together. On Sunday, July 12, athletes, veterans, and volunteers crossed the finish line at the 2026 Spartan Race at Blue Mountain Ski Area, united by determination and support.
What started as a challenge became a powerful demonstration of what is possible when athletes, veterans, volunteers, and supporters come together with a shared purpose. Nine athletes with disabilities, along with dozens of volunteers and military veterans, tackled one of the toughest obstacle courses in the country as a team.
Throughout the course, participants pushed through steep climbs, challenging obstacles, and unpredictable terrain while receiving encouragement and support every step of the way. For the IM ABLE athletes, the race was not defined by what obstacles stood in their path, but by the people who helped them overcome each one.
The team represented a wide range of experiences and abilities, including participants with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spina bifida, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a pediatric bone cancer survivor. Each participant brought their own story, their own challenges, and their own reason for showing up — but they all crossed the finish line with the same message: anything is possible when we do it together.
“Seeing our athletes return to the Spartan Race and witnessing their growth is one of the most rewarding parts of this experience,” said Ashley Tomasko, Director of Marketing & Communications at IM ABLE Foundation. “Several of our participants competed last year, and the difference in their strength, confidence, and physical abilities was incredible to see. It was a powerful reminder that the work happening inside our facilities every week truly matters. The adaptive fitness classes, training opportunities, and support we provide throughout the year are helping individuals build skills, increase independence, and discover new possibilities for what they can achieve.”
This year’s Spartan experience was made possible through the collaboration between IM ABLE Foundation, Dealers of Hope, and Oscar Mike. Together, these three organizations assembled a team of highly skilled adaptive volunteers, many of whom were military veterans, who traveled from as far as North Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, and Virginia to support athletes throughout the course. Providing technical expertise, adaptive equipment assistance, encouragement, and motivation every step of the way, these volunteers played a critical role in helping athletes overcome obstacles and experience the challenge alongside thousands of other competitors.
From helping navigate obstacles to celebrating every victory along the way, the volunteers embodied the spirit of teamwork that makes events like this so meaningful. The goal was never simply to complete the course; it was to create an environment where every participant felt supported, included, and empowered.
The day was filled with muddy smiles, moments of perseverance, laughter, and plenty of reminders that challenges are meant to be faced, not avoided.
For more information about IM ABLE Foundation’s services, sponsorship, or to make a gift and fund programs that empower people with disabilities to live life to the fullest, visit imablefoundation.org.
About the IM ABLE Foundation
Founded in 2007 by retired Marine veteran Chris Kaag, the IM ABLE Foundation’s mission is to remove obstacles that prevent people living with disabilities from being physically active by providing grants, fitness opportunities, and motivation. Through adaptive sports, inclusive fitness programs, and community support, IM ABLE empowers individuals to live life to the fullest.
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