Who We Are

Our History

United In Stride was founded in 2015 by Richard Hunter in partnership with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). Prior to United In Stride, there was no single resource dedicated to matching visually impaired walkers and runners with guides. Inspired by the work of MABVI’s Team With A Vision at the Boston Marathon, it has expanded to include walkers and runners of all levels.

We created this resource to ease the challenge of finding a guide, whether you are close to home, or traveling to another part of the country. Our robust, interactive guide database creates more opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals to exercise outside of their homes.

Join us in sharing your passion for fitness with others by signing up for your account today. Together, we can make sure that blind and visually impaired walkers and runners have access to a guide when needed and show that “disability” does not mean “inability”!

United In Stride founder Richard Hunter holding up a new United In Stride banner.

“United In Stride was founded with the passionate belief that there were people with vision loss in every single community across the country who would be interested in walking, jogging, and running if they knew it was possible for them and had guides to assist them.”

Richard Hunter, Founder

Our Community

United In Stride serves not only as a platform for connecting visually impaired walkers, joggers, and runners of all levels with guides, it is a way to build friendships, bonds, and community. Check out what we’re up to through our Instagram feed!

You can also find us on Facebook and YouTube!

Today is the day! Our Team With A Vision runners will give their all, supporting the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Help our runners make it to their fundraising finish lines with a donation!
bit.ly/4b9oQ8P
#boston128 #bostonmarathon2024

Open
Today is the day! Our Team With A Vision runners will give their all, supporting the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Help our runners make it to their fundraising finish lines with a donation! bit.ly/4b9oQ8P #boston128 #bostonmarathon2024

The 128th Boston Marathon is just 12 days away! We were thrilled to see our Team With A Vision athletes represented on this banner in the heart of Back Bay Boston! Our international team of blind and sighted runners race to raise awareness and spread the word that with the right support, anything is possible. Our teams’ efforts allow the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired to deliver professional, peer, and volunteer support to over 1,200 individuals each year, giving them the support they need to live with dignity and independence. All funds raised support MABVI’s statewide vision rehabilitation services, including 34 low-vision support groups, Assistive Technology and Training Centers, and 400 volunteers matched 1:1 with blind individuals. TWAV`s fundraising also supports United In Stride, a free tool for uniting visually impaired walkers and runners of all levels with guides in the United States and Canada. Help Team With A Team cross the fundraising finish line before Marathon Monday by making a donation today! @bostonmarathon
https://www.givengain.com/campaign/twav2024
#boston128 #bostonmarathon

Open
The 128th Boston Marathon is just 12 days away! We were thrilled to see our Team With A Vision athletes represented on this banner in the heart of Back Bay Boston! Our international team of blind and sighted runners race to raise awareness and spread the word that with the right support, anything is possible. Our teams’ efforts allow the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired to deliver professional, peer, and volunteer support to over 1,200 individuals each year, giving them the support they need to live with dignity and independence. All funds raised support MABVI’s statewide vision rehabilitation services, including 34 low-vision support groups, Assistive Technology and Training Centers, and 400 volunteers matched 1:1 with blind individuals. TWAV's fundraising also supports United In Stride, a free tool for uniting visually impaired walkers and runners of all levels with guides in the United States and Canada. Help Team With A Team cross the fundraising finish line before Marathon Monday by making a donation today! @bostonmarathon https://www.givengain.com/campaign/twav2024 #boston128 #bostonmarathon

Goodbye, United In Stride… The old one that is!

On Monday, January 8th at 2pm EST we will be launching our brand new website! Easier to use, updated resources, accessible, and more!

Also stay posted for information on our upcoming raffle giveaway!

Open
Goodbye, United In Stride... The old one that is! On Monday, January 8th at 2pm EST we will be launching our brand new website! Easier to use, updated resources, accessible, and more! Also stay posted for information on our upcoming raffle giveaway!

The wait is almost over!

In January we will be officially launching our new and improved United In Stride website! New functions include registering as a walker, additional search filters, and the option to temporarily “snooze” your profile!

We hope you’re as excited as we are! In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peak at our new homepage!

Open
The wait is almost over! In January we will be officially launching our new and improved United In Stride website! New functions include registering as a walker, additional search filters, and the option to temporarily “snooze” your profile! We hope you’re as excited as we are! In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peak at our new homepage!

Testimonials

Finding the right partner can be challenging, and incredibly rewarding for visually impaired individuals and guides alike. Check out what some of our members have to say about their experiences!

“Guide runners are my eyes. I trust them, as they tell me everything I need to know along our path. I am a visually impaired runner, and a happy runner.”
Jessica L.
Blind/VI
Denver, CO
“Being able to participate as a guide absolutely reinvigorated my passion to run. I am now able to enjoy the sport I love more than ever, while making it possible for a visually impaired athlete to do the same. WIN-WIN.”
Sydney F.
Guide
Franklin, MI
“Guiding has brought me such pleasure in a sport I have come to love over the past four years. I want to help anyone I can to accomplish their goals, from sprints to half’s and any training in between. Let’s have some fun!”
Ed C.
Guide
Rumford, RI
“Though most guides humbly disagree, I consider guiding to be a purely selfless act. I mean, they give up their own race – while still taking on all of the same effort – simply to allow me to race. Just incredible people.”
Erich M.
Blind/VI
Littleton, MA
“Guiding a blind athlete opened my eyes to a whole new dimension in the sport of triathlon. I was apprehensive about it at first but learning to work together and be that much more attentive on the course has helped me view racing in a while new light.”
Matt S.
Guide
“Since going blind, I’ve looked for a way to push myself physically while staying safe. About a half-mile into my first run with a guide I knew I’d found it! More importantly, I’ve found a greater confidence in and respect for myself.”
Kate K.
Blind/VI
Watertown, MA
“Without a guide, I could only run slowly and cautiously. I could not keep up with other runners. With a guide, I can run a faster pace. I can join group runs and run competitively in races. I can challenge my athletic ability. This opens up a new world of possibilities!”
Joyce C.
Blind/VI
Acton, MA
“The idea that I could help someone while doing something that’s also good for myself physically and mentally seemed like a no brainer. Heck why aren’t more people doing it!?”
Andrea C.
Guide
Maynard, MA
“Guiding takes the “self” out of racing and makes it the ultimate team effort. None of the races I have completed as an individual compare to the feeling I get when I cross the finish line with a visually impaired athlete. There’s nothing better than knowing that you helped another person accomplish their goal.”
Caroline G.
Guide
Austin, TX
“Running guides have made a huge impact in my life. Not only do they generously donate their time and effort to assist me at any event, but they also pace me and motivate me to compete at a high level.”
Adrian B
Blind/VI
Los Angeles, CA
“The impact and difference guides have made in my life allow me to enjoy the freedom to train and run outdoors, participate in events, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. From each experience, a unique friendship forms, reminding me that the possibilities ahead are endless, as long as I take that first step forward!”
Dave B
Blind/VI
Tallahassee, FL
“I thought that guiding a visually impaired runner would be a unique opportunity to share the ultimate expression of independence that has been so meaningful to me. I was paired with an incredible athlete who inspired me not only with his athletic performance, but his passion and joy for the sport. Best of all, we’ve developed a strong bond and long-lasting friendship.”
Chad C.
Guide
“Guides have given me the opportunity fulfil my passion of running, for without their kindness there would be no running. They have also provided me with encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to push myself beyond what I thought I could do.”
Richard M.
Blind/VI
Ottawa, Canada
“I love to run, and my guides make it possible.”
Dan B.
Blind/VI
Fort Collins, CO
“Without my many guides, running would be a solitary slog on a treadmill. With them, my running is a chance to make new friends, to race, and to be a part of a great community. In short, because of my guides, running brings joy and freedom.”
Tina A.
Blind/VI
Alexandria, VA
“As a guide, you are able to give back to the sport(s) by giving those with vision loss a chance to do what brings us so much joy, and that we sometimes take for granted. I will do whatever I can to make sure that I participate year in and year out as a guide for visually impaired runners!”
Chris S.
Guide
Folsom, CA
“Guiding a visually impaired runner has put new meaning into running. Sharing the Boston Marathon with a visually impaired runner is one of the highlights of my running career. It wasn’t about what I could do for her, but what she did for me. I’ll never forget it.”
Tracy W.
Guide
Meridian, ID
“Without a guide, every pothole, crack, curb, or branch could end my run. Every slight direction choice, adjustment, and verbal warning are the essential gifts which give me freedom to run. The only greater gift is the kindness and choice of my wonderful guides to make this possible each and every time we become a team.”
Randy P.
Blind/VI
Nashua, NH
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