HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc: Team Adaptive Grows For A More Inclusive Trail Experience
Following a powerful and widely celebrated debut in 2024, Team Adaptive returned to HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2025 with renewed energy and purpose. Building on the momentum and impact of its inaugural year, the initiative continues to champion a bold vision: to shift perceptions of disability in trail running—so it is seen not as something exceptional, but as integral to the sport.
This year, Team Adaptive has grown to welcome 14 extraordinary athletes from around the world, each with a unique story, background, and relationship to disability or illness. United by their love for the trail and a shared determination to break down prejudice, these athletes will take on the various races of HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. More than a symbolic presence, together they demonstrate that difference in no way diminishes determination, courage, or the ability to achieve the extraordinary. Among them are returning athletes from the 2024 edition—back with even greater ambition and a fresh set of challenges to conquer.
“Our vision is simple: one day, we won't need to explain why Team Adaptive exists. One day, it won't be about inclusion—it will just be about sport. That day, our mission will be complete,” says David Poletti, Head of Operations and Territory Relations, HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, and Boris Ghirardi, Team Adaptive Manager.
Why Team Adaptive?
Team Adaptive is part of a long-term commitment to inclusion, equity, and representation at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc—in line with the event’s broader mission to reflect the full diversity of the global trail running community.
This human and sporting adventure is guided by three core principles:
- Disability as a natural part of life, not an exception: By fully integrating athletes with diverse experiences, Team Adaptive proves that disability is not a barrier—simply another way of moving through the world and sharing in the love of the trail.
- Strength through unity: At the heart of Team Adaptive lies the power of the collective—solidarity, mutual support, and going beyond limits. Every step counts, but it’s together that the team goes further.
- Inspiration through action: Real change happens not in words, but on the trail. By embracing this bold challenge, Team Adaptive shows that passion, courage, and determination know no limits—regardless of difference.
“Less talk, more action. We want to demonstrate that performance and passion have no boundaries,” says Ghirardi, also known affectionately as “Robot Foot.”
For more information, visit https://utmb.world.
BRV Hired To Transform West Palm Beach, Fla.’s Currie Park
Currie Park in West Palm Beach, Fla., is on the brink of a remarkable transformation.
Positioned along the picturesque Lake Worth Lagoon waterfront, the underused park broke ground in May for a total redesign.
The city and its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have hired Dan Biederman and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV) to determine what free programs will be offered and how the park will be managed.
According to Biederman, potential Currie Park programs include: fitness classes, music classes and performances, youth and adult sports, craft workshops, dance classes, pet activities, holiday events, yoga, markets, table games like chess and dominoes, cultural performances, drum circles, singles events, kayaking, toddler programs, movie nights, lawn games, historical and environmental education, comedy shows, fishing programs, music lessons, poetry readings, and senior programming.
The $35-million restoration is expected to reach completion in the summer of 2027.
The redesign includes a waterfront promenade with swings, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, an events lawn, fitness areas, and lush gardens.
Once the park’s redevelopment is complete, Currie Park will be a highly programmed public space for the local community to relax and enjoy.
Biederman Redevelopment Ventures is a placemaking consulting firm that has created, redeveloped, and operated parks, public spaces, streetscapes, and the public realms of mixed-use developments in 36 states and seven countries.
The National Association For Recreational Equality Announces 2025-2026 Grants
The National Association For Recreational Equality (NARE) Grants project is intended to provide Universal Design Bankshot Playcourts for communities with typically underserved, differently able parkgoers. These grants of $10,000 are presented to cities, towns, or counties based on community needs for facilities and parks providing outreach to the differently able and their families.
The recipient community will receive a grant of $10,000 for the prototype Bankshot Playcourt, which was recognized with the prestigious Landscape Architect Design Award, and the Bankshot 16 Station “King Community System” exemplar model design (details furnished separately).
Recipient communities are encouraged to partner with other sponsors and donors in advancing universal design in parks and recreation facilities. The recognition of their support may be prominently displayed on the Bankshot Playcourts with signage, logos, company, or donor names identified, such that the community banks (“Bankshot Playcourts”), Chamber of Commerce members, and other benefactors participate in bringing Bankshot family Playcourts to the community.
The NARE committee responsible for determining applicant communities’ grant awards is composed of board members, including Rev. E. Maynard Moore (Methodist minister), Dr. Rabbi Reeve Brenner (ret.), Richard Schimel Esq. CEO, and Neeva Kleiman, msw.
For more info, visit Nareletsplayfair.org and bankshot.com.
Genesis Products, Inc. Renovates Driver Lounge For IndyCar’s AJ Foyt Racing
Elkhart, Ind.—Genesis Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of RV interior components, unveiled a new project in partnership with IndyCar’s AJ Foyt Racing and driver Santino Ferrucci. “As a leading supplier of RV interiors, we saw an opportunity to build on our partnership with AJ Foyt Racing by helping to renovate their driver trailer,” says Erin Curtis, VP of Marketing and Development at Genesis Products, Inc.
Genesis first partnered with Ferrucci, IndyCar driver of the #14 AJ Foyt car, in 2024 due to heavy RV presence at races. “Not only do fans come to races in their RVs, but race teams rely on RVs and trailers as part of daily life,” says Curtis. Genesis saw an opportunity to provide an upgrade for the AJ Foyt driver lounge that improved both aesthetics and function.
“Our first objective, as it is with all our customers, was to understand both the pain points and vision of Santino and the team so we could help them accomplish their goals. They wanted something that reflected their brand but also utilized space efficiently.” Genesis translated the competitive spirit of the AJ Foyt brand persona through exclusive UltraFoil laminates featuring a black leather finish offset by a premium light woodgrain. Incorporating the brand’s signature “Coyote Red” took shape in a custom countertop edge detail and cabinet liners.
Genesis Product Manager Nic Bontrager and Engineering Manager Kyle Rasler played key roles in the project and leaned on unique Genesis capabilities to set the interior apart. “As the only American maker of a Euro-style door, we wanted to give the team an edgy, contemporary look. The ‘crank-style’ door and hidden hardware are inspired by European caravan design, but we’ve executed it with an American flair,” says Bontrager. Rasler took on the challenge of creating a functional space for the team, from redesigning all the interior cabinet storage to planning a new layout with a U-shaped couch, swiveling table, and individual helmet lockers.
Ferrucci praised the result. “I couldn’t believe this was the same trailer. The transformation was incredible. It makes it a lot more enjoyable to prep, debrief with the team, or just relax. They turned this thing into the ultimate pit stop,” he says.
Learn more at genesisproductsinc.com.
Cyclone Lighting Wins Red Dot Award for Valenza
Cyclone Lighting (www.cyclonelighting.com), an established leader in the manufacture of outdoor luminaires, announced its Valenza luminaire has received a Red Dot Design Award for Product Design.
Dating back to 1955, the Red Dot Design Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. Every year, the Red Dot Award: Product Design sets out to find the year’s best products. The Red Dot Jury is comprised of 40+ international experts from different specialties. Products selected by the jury may be aesthetically pleasing, functional, sustainable, or innovative, but what they all have in common is their outstanding design.
Valenza’s straight geometric lines are offset and softened by organically inspired rounded edges. Seen from the side, its slender, subtle silhouette virtually disappears, belying the quality and strength of its illumination. Viewed head-on, the assertive V shape makes a strong impression, with a look that modernizes urban settings.
The luminaire’s light engine, known for its superior performance and durability, is equipped with fully sealed, optically engineered, injection-molded acrylic lenses with an IP66 rating for superior performance and durability. Valenza luminaires are offered with more than 13 distribution types, including symmetrical, asymmetrical, and crosswalk options. House shield and backward optics options are also available for added flexibility, creating a customized light source that optimizes illumination management.
Valenza will be featured in the Red Dot Design Yearbook and was celebrated, with all award winners, during the Red Dot Award Ceremony on July 8 in Essen, Germany.
More information about Valenza is available at https://cyclonelighting.com/.
Field Notes
SiteOne® Landscape Supply announced Dan Carrothers as the new Vice President for Agronomic Business Development.
Friends of The Underline announced Lisle Bowen as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Landmark Aquatic announced the addition of three key leaders to its executive team in the first quarter of 2025: Marie Ramos as Vice President of Sales, Jessica Mahoney as Vice President of Marketing, and Karen Swindells as Manager of Training and Development.
Anna Christine Sgro was appointed president of Yanmar Compact Equipment's North American region.
The Inspiring Workplace Group (IW) announced Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) as a finalist in its 2025 Inspiring Workplaces across North America in association with Employera.
Calendar
August
15-17 Grown-Up Getaway Camp, Portola, Calif.—Sierra Nevada Journeys Outdoor Education Camp; https://www.sierranevadajourneys.org/grownup-getaway-camp
24-26 SIMA Leadership Forum, Nashville, Tenn.; https://www.sima.org/leadership
25-27 75th Annual Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference & Expo, Phoenix, Ariz.—Phoenix Convention Center – South Building; https://azpra.org/APRA-Conference
25-28 2025 Florida Recreation And Park Association Annual Conference, Orlando, Fla.; frpa.org/Conference
September
16-18 NRPA Annual Conference, Orlando, Fla.—Orange County Convention Center; https://conference.nrpa.org
21-25 World Racquets Conference 2025, Kona, Hawaii—Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa; https://www.uspta.com
27 12th Annual Pine Valley Camp Ride for Hope, New Castle, Penn.; https://www.pinevalleycamp.org
October
15-17 2025 CPRA Annual Conference, Vail, Colo.—Grand Hyatt Vail; https://www.cpra-web.org/annual-conference/
16 Montgomery Planning 2025 Design Excellence Awards, Bethesda, Md.—Marriott International Global Headquarters; https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/design-excellence/
21-24 Equip Exposition, Louisville, Ky.—Freedom Hall at Kentucky Exposition Center; https://www.equipexposition.com
22-24 Hardscape North America, Louisville, Ky.— Kentucky Exposition Center; https://www.hardscapena.com
26 ACA Staffing Summit: Recruit & Hire, Virtual; https://www.acacamps.org/events-education/event/aca-staffing-summit