Leading the blind
Visually impaired runners stay on the healthy track with the help of their guides
Dawn is breaking and Lumpini Park is already packed with runners and joggers warming up for their morning exercise. Among those in sportswear preparing for a few laps in this Bangkok haven for exercisers, there are some, it could be said, who are not in the ideal physical condition for running.
“I used to run a lot when my eyesight was normal. But then I stopped when I couldn’t see the world anymore. If I ran into something, I would hurt myself,” said Akepupra Jakkuprasert, who’s visually impaired.
It’s been seven years since glaucoma damaged this 68-year-old’s eyesight, so exercising is out of the question. Then Akepupra heard about the Run Together project, and he had no hesitation to join. At least once at month at Lumpini Park, Run Together organises a running event by pairing blind runners with seeing guides as they cruise around the leafy park.
“I always wanted to exercise but it’s never been easy. The project gathers people with disabilities who want to run with volunteers, which makes it a lot easier to run,” said Akepupra. “If someone can lead me, I’m afraid of nothing.”
There are two ways to run with the blind. The first is to let the visually impaired touch the guide’s elbow as they move; the second is for both to hold the same piece of rope as they run. At Run Together, the visually impaired and sighted runner are paired based on their speed and compatibility — some pairs are strangers to each other.
Run Together was initiated in April last year by Chatchai Aphibanpoonpon, who is also a founder of Klongdinsor, the company creating innovative facilities for the blind.
“One of the biggest problems I found the visually impaired have is health issues. Running seems to be the easiest activity to start with. But in order to run, the blind need some help, and the best way is to offer them volunteers,” said Chatchai.
Even though Run Together was initiated for the visually impaired, eager runners who are suffering from other disabilities are welcome to participate.
“The event will be just the beginning. I hope they [guide runners and the disabled] will learn more about each other and meet up later to do more exercise,” said Chatchai.
On the first gathering of the event last April, 12 visually impaired runners showed up at the park. But last week, at the 10th meeting, the number of disabled attendees went up to 70, while the online registration for volunteer guide runners was full within 20 minutes.
Akepupra often pairs up with Nutnicha Thanissorn. They sometimes meet up at a park near their houses for extra runs in addition to the event days. The 21-year-old guide runner volunteers to run Akepupra whenever both have free time, which is at least once a month.
Nutnicha spotted a Facebook post asking for volunteer guide runners. She applied and has participated in the event regularly ever since.
Running is a solitary activity, but when it comes to play the role of guide runner, Nutnicha explains that the focus has to shift to her partner.
“I need to be very observant as to whether my co-runner is still doing all right or not,” she said. “And of course I need to keep an eye on the surroundings to make sure that he won’t get into any danger. Apart from that, I also love to explain what the environment is like so that he can find the running experience more pleasant.”
Normally, Nutnicha and Akepupra run 4km each time. But in Run Together Mini Marathon which will be held this March, they plan to go for 10km.
Most blind runners — like other runners — run the short or middle distance for health and relaxation benefits. But there are also some who take running seriously, and their endeavour shows that disability is not an obstacle in the quest for a physically gruelling feat.
Tam Jatunam is a 46-year-old university lecturer, and one of a very few blind runners who has done a full marathon. Starting as a casual runner, Tam first participated in the 10km category of Bangkok Marathon in 2007 and began to take running more serious ever since.
“I think everyone who loves running has the same goal, which is to complete the marathon. I’m one of them,” he said.
Tam has done eight marathons in the past eight years. His personal record clocks in at five hours and 29 minutes. Like other marathoners, he has to prepare his nutrition and exercise plan in advance, at least three months before the day. He runs on a treadmill at home, since it is more convenient, and he has a regular guide who runs with him in all the races. He also rides a bicycle with his wife — they tie their two-wheelers together — in order to train for strength.
“I don’t think disability is a disadvantage,” said Tam “Yes, I have to try harder and that’s very exhausting. But I have fun doing it and it boosts my endurance as well as my endeavour.”
The pattern where the visually impaired are matched with a sighted runner is nothing new since it is also used in official Paralympic sports events.
For these athletes, running is more than exercise. It’s part of their life.
“If I didn’t decide to run, I wouldn’t have come to this point. It’s the only thing I can do for a living at the moment,” said Kewalin Wannaruemon, 21-year-old national Paralympic athlete who is congenitally blind.
At present, Kewalin pairs with Panya Makumjai, a 30-year-old former national athlete who has nine years of experience in running as a guide.
At least five days a week and six hours a day, the two practise for the best performance. The faster the better, as the two are focusing on the short running distances of 100m, 200m and 400m.
“When on the field, we’re pretty much like the same person. The guide needs to be the eyes as well as being a coach at the same time,” said Panya. “At first, communication with her wasn’t easy as the speed relates to posture, so we needed to find the easiest way to make her understand.”
Currently ranked sixth in the world, Kewalin is still working hard towards her life goal of attending the next Paralympic Games in Brazil.
“I’ve been in the running field for a while and have reached the point I want to. Now if I can help another person reach her dream, I’m more than glad to do that,” said Panya.
Apart from the national team, Panya was also a volunteer guide to help the blind run at the 2015 Bangkok Marathon, which was claimed as the first running event for blind runners in Thailand.
“It’s very good to see more people interested in running and by having a chance to be a guide runner, I’ve spent more time with the visually impaired and realised that they are capable of many things just like able-bodied people are,” said Panya.
“The reason I want to support them now is not because of sympathy, but because of their commitment and the good relationship we have.”