Fractel, the performance headwear brand, will support the first dedicated para-athlete podium and prize purse at Mammoth Trailfest, marking a meaningful step forward for inclusion in trail running. Developed alongside Trailfest founder Tim Tollefson, Born to Adapt and its founder Zach Friedley, and Paralympian Dani Aravich, the initiative introduces a $5,250 prize purse for para-athletes at the 2026 event.
The announcement builds on a multi-year effort to create greater access and recognition for adaptive athletes, said the company. Early collaboration between Mammoth Trailfest and Born to Adapt helped open the door, while ongoing relationships, shaped through shared experiences at global events and endurance races, have driven the initiative forward.
“We built Trailfest on pillars of community, stewardship, and storytelling, and believe our sport needs more inclusion and opportunity,” said Tollefson. “In 2026, that means the introduction of the para-athlete prize purse.”
For Fractel founder Matt Niutta, the initiative is also deeply personal. “Living with retinitis pigmentosa and being legally blind has reshaped how I experience running and access,” said Niutta. “This is about more than representation, it’s about creating spaces where people with disabilities are genuinely supported. We’re proud to help introduce the para-athlete podium and prize purse at Mammoth Trailfest, and hope it encourages more progress across the sport.”
While the prize purse marks an important milestone, the broader goal is to help redefine what inclusion looks like in trail running, and to inspire other events and brands to follow suit, said Fractel.
For more information or to register for Trailfest, visit mammothtrailfest.com.
