How Paralympian Sophia Warner and the Superhero Series is redefining inclusion in sport

That’s why we’re proud to support the Superhero Series, the UK’s only mass-participation sporting events dedicated to people with disabilities. This year’s Superhero Tri at Dorney Lake brought together more than 5,000 Everyday Superheroes and their Sidekicks to swim, cycle, and run without barriers.

Founded by Paralympian Sophia Warner, the Superhero Series is a celebration of inclusion, joy, and possibility—values that align perfectly with our mission to create a fairer, more inclusive future for all. We spoke to Sophia about the day itself and why events like this are so important to so many people:

What inspired you to create the Superhero Series?
The Superhero Series was born out of my own experiences trying to take part in mass-participation events as someone with a disability. Too often, I found barriers that took the fun out of it—strict rules, cut-off times, or equipment restrictions. I wanted to create events that stripped all of that away, where disabled people could just come along, take part with friends and family, and enjoy themselves. That’s how the Superhero Series was born: a place for pure fun, without limits.

Why do you think inclusive events like the Superhero Tri are so important?
If you don’t have a disability, there are plenty of mass-participation sports events you can join most weekends. But for disabled people, the experience is often very different. Inclusivity is great, but it isn’t always what people want — sometimes it’s not about fitting into someone else’s rules, but having a space of your own. Right now, apart from the Paralympics, that hardly exists but the Superhero Series changes that. It’s built with disabled people at the heart, giving everyday superheroes the chance to enjoy big, fun events where they can take part their way.

How does removing cut-off times and equipment restrictions change the experience for participants?
It changes everything. In other events, you might be told you have to finish within a certain time or that your equipment doesn’t meet the rules. That can make people feel excluded before they even start. At the Superhero Series, there are no time limits, and any kind of equipment is welcome. That freedom means participants can take part however they want, at their own pace, and the focus is purely on enjoyment and achievement.

This year’s theme was 'Our Super Planet'. How did you see that come to life on the day?
This year, we asked people to “travel” virtually to places around the world where amazing things are being done to protect the planet. The medals were also designed around the theme of Our Super Planet. People really embraced it—through costumes, stories, and the journeys they shared with us. It gave everything an extra layer of meaning and fun.

What role do Paralympians and sporting role models play in inspiring ‘everyday Superheroes’?
Paralympians are a huge inspiration because they show what’s possible when barriers are removed. On the day, you really see how much they mean to participants—people know them, admire them, and love being on their teams. But what’s lovely is that many Paralympians say the same thing as our Everyday Superheroes: they don’t often get the chance to just take part for fun alongside friends and family. That makes the event special for them too.

Do you have a standout story or moment from this year’s event that captures its spirit?
It’s hard to pick just one! What always stands out is seeing people who’ve been coming year after year—some since they were toddlers—growing up with the event. We’ve seen children who started being pushed around the course now taking part under their own steam. That progression is incredibly moving. And then there’s the atmosphere at the finish line! People cheering and families celebrating together really captures the spirit of the whole series.

How do you see the Superhero Series helping to shift wider attitudes toward disability and inclusion?
We hear all the time from non-disabled people who come to support that they’ve been touched and inspired by what they’ve seen. They leave with a new understanding of what’s possible. Even Paralympians have said they don’t get this level of support at some of their competitions. So, I think the Superhero Series is setting a standard for how disability and inclusion can be celebrated in sport at a grassroots level.

How has the Superhero Series grown since its launch, and what does that mean to you personally?
When we launched, about 300 people took part. Now, thousands join us each year across our live and At Home events. We’ve seen incredible innovation in adaptive equipment and more and more families getting involved. For me personally, the most important thing is that it’s working and the vision we had is being realised. Seeing people come back year after year, and new people joining all the time, means so much.

What’s your vision for the future of the Superhero Series?
My vision is simple: that it carries on doing what it does best—empowering everyday superheroes and breaking down barriers. Next year is our 10th birthday, which we’ll be celebrating with a huge superhero party! Beyond that, I’d love to see even more people take part and more organisations get behind us so the series can continue to grow and inspire.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Yes—come and join us! Our next event is Winter Wonderwheels on the 7th December. And if you’d prefer to take part from home, we also have At Home Winter Wonderwheels running from 8th November for two weeks. However you take part, you’ll be part of something truly special.

Showing our support
At E.ON, our commitment to diversity and inclusion goes beyond words—it’s about action. Supporting the Superhero Series is one way we’re helping to break down barriers and show that everyone deserves the chance to shine. This year’s Superhero Tri reminded us that when you create opportunities that welcome everyone, you don’t just power an event—you power confidence, community, and change.

Together with Sophia Warner and all the Everyday Superheroes, we’re proud to help build a future where no one is left behind.