And prove it he did. Friedley worked hard, proving not only to the farmer but also to himself that he was capable of anything he set his mind to. Reflecting on this experience, he says, “It was like, man, if I can do this, I can do anything. And I started building confidence in myself.”
From that moment on, Friedley began to believe in himself and his abilities in a way he never had before. He started to see that his disability was not a limitation but rather a unique characteristic that set him apart in a positive way.
With this newfound self-belief, Friedley slowly started to reintroduce running into his life. He discovered trail running and found a deep passion for it. The freedom and challenge of the trails resonated with him in a way that traditional running never had.
As he continued to push his limits on the trails, he realized that there was a lack of representation for adaptive athletes in the trail running community. This realization sparked a fire in him to advocate for change and create opportunities for others like him.
An Invite Into Advocacy
Through his nonprofit organization, Born to Adapt, Friedley has been able to make a significant impact in the trail running world. By hosting events and creating spaces for adaptive athletes to thrive, he is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse sport.
His recent event in Rotorua, New Zealand, was a testament to his dedication and passion for inclusivity. Bringing together adaptive athletes from around the world, Friedley created an environment where individuals could challenge themselves, connect with others, and celebrate their unique abilities.
Looking ahead, Friedley has his sights set on the Paralympics once again. This time, however, his approach is different. Instead of focusing solely on his own achievements, he is committed to advocating for the inclusion of all adaptive athletes in the Paralympic Games.
With his unwavering determination and relentless spirit, there is no doubt that Friedley will continue to make a lasting impact in the trail running community and beyond. As he pushes boundaries and breaks down barriers, he is not only changing the sport but also changing perceptions of what is possible for adaptive athletes.
One thing is clear: Zach Friedley is just getting started, and the world better be ready for what he has in store.
It’s an acknowledgment that they belong in the sport and are valued participants. Friedley believes that small changes like this can make a huge difference in making the sport more inclusive and accessible to all.
Friedley’s journey from a farm worker with a makeshift blade to a professional trail runner with a sponsorship from On is a testament to the power of self-belief, determination, and the willingness to pave the way for others. His story is an inspiring example of how one person’s passion and vision can create opportunities and open doors for others in the adaptive athlete community.
As Friedley continues to push boundaries and break down barriers in the trail running world, he is also focused on creating more opportunities for adaptive athletes to participate and excel in the sport. Through initiatives like Born to Adapt and his partnership with On, Friedley is working to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all athletes, regardless of their abilities.
By embracing his unique journey and using his platform to advocate for change, Friedley is not only changing the landscape of trail running but also inspiring others to dream big and pursue their passions, no matter what obstacles they may face. His story is a reminder that with perseverance, innovation, and a supportive community, anything is possible. “Friedley dice que cuando ve que un evento tiene una opción de discapacidad en su formulario de inscripción, “[Muestra] que estas personas han planeado un evento que me incluye.” Para otros, dice, “Puede ser aterrador venir a tu primera carrera y no ver nada para que encajes.”
Los formularios de inscripción también pueden quitar la presión al atleta de rastrear al director de carrera para hacer preguntas. Friedley dice: “No tienes que rastrear al director de la carrera tratando de obtener estas adaptaciones, o un liebre o lo que sea. Todo el mundo simplemente proporciona información, y está organizado, y es acogedor.”
Friedley ha estado trabajando con directores de carrera para ayudarles a educarlos sobre cómo invitar activamente a atletas adaptativos a sus eventos. Ha encontrado un aliado en Tim Tollefson, director de carrera del Mammoth Trailfest en California. La pareja se conoció en Europa mientras trabajaban en proyectos separados, y Tollefson rápidamente se aferró a la idea de un evento Born to Adapt en su Mammoth Trailfest. Friedley dice: “Tim es un colaborador. Tim es un tipo que, cuando tiene una idea, quiere que suceda.”
La pareja trabajó juntos para organizar un evento Born to Adapt como parte del Mammoth Trailfest en 2024, y Friedley ahora considera a la organización como un modelo a seguir para otros directores de carrera que quieran invitar activamente a atletas adaptativos a sus eventos. En palabras de Friedley, “Mammoth Trailfest es el estándar de oro.”
Invitando en el futuro
Friedley todavía tiene metas personales como corredor. Una que no ha dado voz pública antes de ahora es el deseo de clasificar para el Maratón de Boston y estar en el podio en la categoría de paratletas. Pero ha comprendido que mientras una vez pensó que su mayor impacto en el mundo del trail running sería salir a eventos importantes y terminarlos, cree que puede tener un efecto mucho mayor al centrar su energía en objetivos que van más allá de sus logros personales. En estos días, dice: “Todo se trata de construir diferentes sistemas y dar más oportunidades a más personas.”
En el horizonte inmediato está Born to Run en mayo, el cuarto año que la organización organiza un evento Born to Adapt. Luego está la participación de Born to Adapt en el Broken Arrow Skyrace en junio, donde se reservan 20 lugares en la carrera de 18 kilómetros para atletas adaptativos. Y luego está el Mammoth Trailfest, y más adelante, otros eventos que tendrán lugar en Nueva Zelanda.
Friedley dice: “Mi gran objetivo es hacer una serie de trail Born to Adapt que tenga premios en metálico, podios… usar los mismos recorridos [que un evento anfitrión] porque la infraestructura ya está establecida. No necesita haber un evento separado. Todos lleguemos juntos a la línea de salida y rockémoslo.”
Claramente, Friedley todavía está apasionado por su propia carrera, pero como él dice, quiere más para la comunidad de atletas adaptativos que solo lo que su propia destreza atlética puede lograr. “Quiero hacer cosas legendarias donde otras personas también se beneficien de ello.”
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