On Running · Trail Blader — Dan Buyanovsky.

Trail runner Zachary Friedley is used to being told he can’t do things, and then doing them anyway.

This summer, he set his eyes on one of trail running’s hardest and most prestigious events: the UTMB MCC race, an epic run through the Alps that stretches 40km with 2300m of elevation change. But Zachary didn’t just want to compete for himself; he wanted to show the world that adaptive athletes belong on the trail, and they will no longer wait to be told they can do so. They are here to compete.

“Trail Blader” tells the story of Zachary’s journey to UTMB, the events that led him to it and what he envisions for the future of trail running.

Making this one was a challenge, an education, and a spirit-expanding experience. In making a new friend, I was exposed to a story I grew so deeply connected to, and as we made our way across the world, I became profoundly invested in Zach’s confrontation of the status quo in the historically insular world of running. As he says, this is only the beginning, and I’m honored to be along for the ride.

Director: Dan Buyanovsky

Producer: Christina Burchard

Editor: Shannon C Griffin

Albion Team

DP: Matt Clarke

AC: Ryan Fagan

Audio: Michael Clifford

Drone Op: Travis Geske

PA: Gee Moloi

Zurich Team

DP: Simon Almers

Chamonix Team