First 10k race in the UK for blind and partially sighted runners
Great Bristol Run stages first official 10k race for people with sight loss
The first 10k race in the UK ever to be held for the blind and partially sighted is taking place in Bristol later this year.
The Visually Impaired (VI) Runners 10K Challenge is happening as part of the Great Bristol Run on 19thSeptember after local guide runner Colin Johnson asked the organisers, The Great Run Company, to incorporate a race that would encourage people with sight loss to take part. Participants will set off ahead of the mass start for the Great Bristol Run 10k and half marathon races.
"If you run and you are blind or visually impaired you normally have to compete in the same races as sighted runners," says Colin Johnson. "The VI Runners 10K Challenge is the first race of its kind in the UK where runners with sight loss will compete for their own medals but more importantly, I hope it encourages as many people who are blind or partially sighted to pull on a pair of trainers and take part."
The VI runners taking part will not have their sight disability categorised as they would do if it were a championship race, but they will be required to be tethered to a guide runner.
The move has been welcomed by the Mayor of Bristol, who will be one of the guide runners. "This is a fantastic first for the city," says Marvin Rees. "I have had the honour of being a guide runner in the mass race for several years and hope that having a standalone race will encourage more people with sight loss in the city to train and feel confident about taking part. It should be a wonderful event."
Photo: Mayor Bristol Marvin Rees as a guide runner at Bristol 10K in 2019
There are approximately 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK with 350,000 people registered severely sight impaired. Of the small percentage who do run, a growing number are from the Bristol area where they have benefitted from VI Runners Bristol, the running group Colin set up in 2016 after he trained as a guide runner.
A founding member of the group is Chris Blackabee, who has been totally blind since the age of 12. With Colin as his guide, he has completed the Budapest Marathon and now wants to inspire others with sight loss to train for and run their first 10k in Bristol.
"Running provides a total sense of freedom away from having to be focussed on navigating around your environment," Chris explains. "It's a fantastic way to boost your self-confidence and give you the belief that you can do anything you set your mind to."
Photo: Chris Blackabee (L) and guide Colin Johnson (R) at Budapest Marathon
Other members of the Bristol group have also signed up for theVI Runners 10K Challengeand want to spread the word about the benefits of running for others with sight loss.
Tracey Paling admits she became a virtual recluse after being registered blind and required somepersuasion when Guide Dogs for the Blind suggested she try the VI Runners Bristol group four years ago. She credits it with turning her life around.
"Mentally it's given me confidence to go away from home in the group and trust others to guide me," Tracy says. "I know in my heart that if I hadn't done this I might not be here today."
Teresa Cryer was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa on her 36thbirthday. "I was in complete shock," she says. At first, she had night blindness and then her peripheral vision deteriorated. Today she can only detect light and occasional shadows. She took up running after hearing about VI Runners Bristol through a friend.
"My self-esteem suffered massively with my diagnosis and sight deterioration," she says. "Running helped me build my confidence and made me believe that things are achievable."
Running she says, gives her purpose and a sense of freedom and at the age of 48, Teresa completed her first marathon, "something I would never have thought possible," she says, "even when I had sight."
It was hearing about Teresa completing the London Marathon that got Holly Thomas involved.Holly has an eye condition called Sclerocornea, which makes her cornea opaque. She had tried running earlier but had struggled to find a guide. Joining VI Runners Bristol was transformational.
"It's a really friendly group of runners and guides. There is always someone who is available to guide at a time that works for you," Holly says. "I really enjoy being able to run outside, discover new places and keep fit."
Tom Hill will be one of the guide runners for the VI Runners 10K Challenge. "Running with a guide might be the only source of exercise and social interaction for someone who is visually impaired," he explains. "I would thoroughly recommend becoming a guide runner - all you need is a pair of trainers and a smile!"
Alaina MacGregor, Chief Executive of national disability sport organisation, British Blind Sport, who represent blind and partially sighted people in sport across the UK says, "We are delighted that Colin and Chris have taken up the initiative to provide a running event specifically for people living with sight loss. Now, more than ever, it is so important to enable people to return to sport, get active and importantly have the support of fantastic volunteers. It's a great idea to encourage the sight loss community to participate in a sport that can be for everyone, and we really hope to see the Great Run VI 10K Challenge being replicated across other towns and cities in the UK".
The Great Run VI Runners 10K Challenge takes place in Bristol on Sunday 19thSeptember ahead of the mass start for the Great Run Bristol 10k and Half Marathon events.
"I have seen thedifference that the simple act of running can make to the mental wellbeing and self- belief of someone who isblind or partially sighted," says VI Runners Bristol and VI Runners 10k Challenge founder Colin Johnson. "If this first official 10k race can go a small way to helping someone with impaired vision to get active, it will have been a race worth running."
If you, or someone you know, wants to take part go tohttps://www.greatrun.org/vi-runners-challenge/to register.
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About the Great Run VI Runners 10K Challenge in 2021
In partnership with VI Runners Bristol, The Great Run Company is excited to stage the first VI Runners 10K Challenge in 2021. Our joint ambition is to use this event to promote and increase participation in running for people registered as severely sight impaired (previously "blind").
The runners quoted are all available for interview and pictures.
Please contact:
Jane Robertson, media support, jane@frog.net Mob: 07827 948993
Colin Johnson, Founder VI Runners Bristol
Email: colinjohnson452@btinternet.com
Mob: 07949 696751
Jenny Shields, Communications Officer, British Blind Sport
jenny@britishblindsport.org.uk