Great Bristol Run 2024: Visually impaired runner shares his "newfound freedom" through the event

The Great Bristol Run's Visually Impaired Runners 10K Challenge is the first dedicated race in the UK for blind and partially sighted runners and will take place for the fourth time this year.

Justin, a visually impaired runner with a guide dog called Otis, decided to take part in this year's race after he was moved by the event atmosphere when he was supporting some of his other visually impaired friends at last year's 10K.

"It was such an amazing and inspiring atmosphere that I think within a couple of weeks I'd gone out and bought my first pair of running trainers.

"And my friends put me in touch with the Bristol VI Runners Group. And that's an amazing group that meets weekly and has skilled, trained athletes who can guide people with visual impairments to run.

"And it's only since then, so I hadn't even done a run on my own until hooking up with the Bristol VI Runners Group. It was at that point that I really started to enjoy running. I really got into it to the point that this year, I've actually entered into the London Marathon as well as running The Great Bristol Run."

Justin has since been doing regular runs with the Bristol VI Run Group every week and has been training on additional days with a skilled athlete from the group so that his fitness levels are high enough to compete in the Great Bristol Run.

"Having access to exercise as a visually impaired person has always been challenging, but now with events like the Great Bristol Run welcoming visually impaired runners and making it very easy and safe for them to participate.

"And also with additional groups like Bristol VI Runners Group that supply skilled guides that help impaired people to run, it's really terrific and it really is a newfound freedom where I can embrace and enjoy the world listening to the rhythm of my feet."

Feel inspired to take part in the Great Bristol Run on May 19? Entries are open here.