Four Wheelchair Athletes to Traverse UTMB Route in HOPE Project — image accompanying Canadian Running's report. Image accompanying Canadian Running’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Four wheelchair athletes will embark on a 170-kilometre journey around Mont Blanc, separate from the UTMB races. The HOPE project involves all-terrain wheelchairs and support crews. It aims to enhance accessibility and change perceptions of disability.
The teams, including athletes from Switzerland, France, and Italy, will start in Chamonix on August 28. They will cover high mountain passes and finish by Sunday afternoon. The project confirmed the feasibility of wheelchair crossings with modified equipment. Read more trail coverage.
HOPE is not part of the UTMB competition but shares the week with UTMB’s Team Adaptive. Organizers plan to use lessons from this attempt to improve future events. The initiative represents a commitment to inclusion and accessibility. Related: Documentary on Race Director Gary Cantrell Premieres During UTMB Week.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Canadian Running. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Four Wheelchair Athletes to Traverse UTMB Route in HOPE Project?
A new initiative by UTMB Group and Marathon des Sables aims to make mountains accessible. Four wheelchair athletes will embark on a 170-kilometre journey around Mont Blanc, separate from the UTMB races. The HOPE project involves all-terrain wheelchairs and support crews. It aims to enhance accessibility and change perceptions of disability.
When did Runner World publish this trail brief?
Runner World published this brief on August 19, 2026. The underlying Canadian Running report was dated August 19, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Canadian Running. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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