News & Stories

News and Stories

Check out our latest news and media coverage to learn more about our members and community and how United In Stride is breaking down barriers for individuals with visual impairments.

Two runners connected by a tether during the Boston Marathon

Daughter guides visually impaired dad through Boston Marathon

United In Stride founder, Richard Hunter, and his daughter/guide, Kiersten, describe their experience running the Boston Marathon together.

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Scott Jurek talks about his experience as a guide and United In Stride

Scott Jurek on United In Stride

Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek talks about his involvement with the blind and visually impaired community and why he is passionate about being a guide.

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Visually Impaired runner Roger Oberholzer and his guide running with a tether at the California International Marathon.

The effort helping visually impaired athletes run the California International Marathon

Five years ago, Roger Oberholzer decided to run a marathon for the first time. He has now run the California International Marathon five times, including this year. To help him run, he has a guide by his side every step of the way.

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Anthony Butler and his guide wearing their London Marathon and Abbot World Major Medals at the finish of the London Marathon.

American runner thought to be first visually impaired athlete to complete 6 World Marathon Majors

After the London Marathon in April, United In Stride user Anthony Butler became the first American visually impaired runner and potentially first visually impaired runner ever to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

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Richard Hunter wearing blind vest with arm triumphantly in air running with a guide.

Running with RP: A guide to fostering hope

Richard Hunter, renowned endurance athlete and co-founder of United In Stride program, shares his mission to keep running while living with blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa, and helping others to do the same.

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Rich Hunter headshot.

Legally blind runner finishes 26th marathon at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig

Richard Hunter, a visually impaired runner from California and co-founder of United In Stride has finished his 26th marathon at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon

Video Interview

Chaz Davis headshot.

Chaz Davis is out to prove anything’s possible for runners with visual impairments

Michael Wardian knows a thing or two about marathons. Since 1996, he’s run in hundreds. He even broke a world record for running one while pushing a stroller. But nothing, he says, compares to guiding four-time blind national champion Chaz Davis on a marathon course.

Boston Globe Article

Guide and runner holding tether.

Team of blind runners joins Hood To Coast relay this year

For the first time, a team of blind and visually impaired runners will tackle the Hood To Coast relay this year, with the help of running guides

Portland KGW8 Video

Vivienne Hau guiding visually impaired athlete Richard Hunter while it is snowing

This eye surgeon is guiding blind runners through the Oregon mountains

Vivienne Hau fixes retinas by day; now, she’s co-captain of the first-ever visually impaired Hood To Coast relay team.

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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!

Team With A Vision members, Richard Hunter and his guide/daughter, Kiersten Mosbacher, were interviewed yesterday after they finished the 128th Boston Marathon! Richard is the founder of our MABVI program, United In Stride. United In Stride is a free tool for uniting visually impaired walkers and runners of all levels with guides. Our mission is to support the blind and visually impaired community in the United States and Canada in realizing their fitness goals. Way to go, Richard and Kiersten!
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/daughter-guides-visually-impaired-dad-through-boston-marathon/ar-BB1lFOsS

Open
Team With A Vision members, Richard Hunter and his guide/daughter, Kiersten Mosbacher, were interviewed yesterday after they finished the 128th Boston Marathon! Richard is the founder of our MABVI program, United In Stride. United In Stride is a free tool for uniting visually impaired walkers and runners of all levels with guides. Our mission is to support the blind and visually impaired community in the United States and Canada in realizing their fitness goals. Way to go, Richard and Kiersten! https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/daughter-guides-visually-impaired-dad-through-boston-marathon/ar-BB1lFOsS

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

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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