First UK 10K race for visually impaired runners only 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 19th September 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."
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."
Other members of the Bristol group have also signed up for the VI Runners 10K ChalThe VI runners taking part will not have their lenge and want to spread the word about sight disability categorised as they would do the benefits of running for others with sight if it were a championship race, but they will loss. be required to be tethered to a guide runner. Tracey Paling admits she became a virtual The move has been welcomed by the recluse after being registered blind and Mayor of Bristol, who will be one of the guide required some persuasion when Guide runners. "This is a fantastic first for the city," Dogs for the Blind suggested she try the VI says Marvin Rees. "I have had the honour Runners Bristol group four years ago. She of being a guide runner in the mass race credits it with turning her life around. 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." 18
