Welcome to the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of Achilles International.

Achilles International Track Club is a worldwide organization that encourages people with disabilities to participate in running with the general public. Achilles provides training, encouragement, technical expertise, logistical support, and race entry fees. 

Achilles athletes have all kinds of disabilities including paralysis, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries.  Runners participate with crutches, tethers for the blind, in wheelchairs, hand-cycles, on artificial limbs and without aides. 

Dick Traum, the first amputee to run the New York City Marathon, founded Achilles in 1983. From its beginning in New York City, Achilles has expanded throughout the United States and internationally with chapters in Canada, Norway, Mongolia, Japan, Ecuador, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa, among others.

The Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans currently has 360 members nationwide, including patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  The veterans, many of whom were injured during the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam train, set goals, and participate in races. All Vets, regardless of types of disability, or whether they are service connected or not, are eligible to participate as members of the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Vets. Thirty team members completed the 2009 ING NYC Marathon and many more will compete with Achilles in the Marathon Tour of prestigious mainstream races. 

Membership in Achilles is free and includes race fees, coaching, workouts, team T-shirts, and the newsletter, The Achilles Heel.  Achilles, a 501(c)3 not for profit, can be found on the web at http://achillesinternational.org