Adaptive Trail Runners for Outside Magazine

I photographed an incredible group of adaptive athletes as they tackled 26k of lung-depleting altitude, loose gravel, soul-crushing ascents, and wicked downhills at the Mammoth Trail Fest.

Trail running as an adaptive athlete presents its own unique challenges. Prosthesis built for running may excel during one section of the race but hinder in another. To combat this, some runners switch out at aid stations along the way. Mechanical issues and friction with the skin can complicate things even further. 

As challenging as this may seem, for too many aspiring adaptive athletes, getting access to proper prosthetics at all is the most significant hurdle. In many states, insurance companies are not required to cover running blades, making them prohibitively expensive. These custom-made blades can run upwards of $20,000. That’s why organizations like So Every BODY Can Move are advocating at state legislatures across the country to pass laws requiring insurance companies to cover prosthetic and orthotic care.

Below are some of my favorite images from my time in Mammoth Lakes.

To learn more about the effort to ensure affordable prosthetics and orthotic care and to get involved, visit: https://soeverybodycanmove.org