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.

Will Barkan and his guide cross the finish line of a running event

Western States runner aims to become first visually impaired finisher

One competitor has a chance to make history at this year’s Western States Endurance Run, and all he has to do is cross the finish line at Placer High School. Of course, that is easier said than done, as the 100-mile course is as unforgiving as they come, but Mill Valley’s Will Barkan is determined to become the first visually impaired runner to finish the world’s oldest ultramarathon.

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Two people standing together with the words "MAJORs Magaine" above them. Text reads "Over Land And Sea: Separated by an ocean, united by the Majors. A Six Start story like no other."

Overland and Sea: Separated by an ocean, united by the Majors. A Six Star story like no other.

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David Han in a white post-marathon wrap with two other runners inside a tent after the Boston Marathon

United In Stride Opens David Han’s Eyes To New Horizons

In 2014, a mentor connected David Han, who has been blind since birth, with the founder of United In Stride (UIS), Richard Hunter. That connection changed David’s life.

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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

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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!

Happy October! New month, new social media contest! This month, we want to hear about your training goals. Whether you are training for a marathon, a local fun run, or looking to get out for a walk in the neighborhood, we want to hear what your goals are this fall! Post a picture sharing your goals and tag us @unitedinstride for a chance to win a pair of PUMA running shoes!

P.S. Stay tuned for the winner of our September contest!

[Image description: Promotional graphic for a contest by United in Stride, featuring a chance to win Puma running shoes and instructions in the caption. The announcement for the winner is scheduled for November. The image includes the logos of United in Stride and Puma with the tagline `Forever Faster.`]

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Happy October! New month, new social media contest! This month, we want to hear about your training goals. Whether you are training for a marathon, a local fun run, or looking to get out for a walk in the neighborhood, we want to hear what your goals are this fall! Post a picture sharing your goals and tag us @unitedinstride for a chance to win a pair of PUMA running shoes! P.S. Stay tuned for the winner of our September contest! [Image description: Promotional graphic for a contest by United in Stride, featuring a chance to win Puma running shoes and instructions in the caption. The announcement for the winner is scheduled for November. The image includes the logos of United in Stride and Puma with the tagline 'Forever Faster.']

Congratulations to @franciscolucien who is our September social media contest winner!! Lucien matched with guides Daniel and Dean to complete a marathon with a successful time of 3:06! Congratulations to all three of you, and we are so happy that you were able to connect on United in Stride!

If you didn`t catch our October social media contest in our newsletter this week, stay tuned for our announcement on social media coming soon!

[Image description: Three young athletes in athletic attire smiling together after a race. The athlete in the center is wearing a medal.]

Open
Congratulations to @franciscolucien who is our September social media contest winner!! Lucien matched with guides Daniel and Dean to complete a marathon with a successful time of 3:06! Congratulations to all three of you, and we are so happy that you were able to connect on United in Stride! If you didn't catch our October social media contest in our newsletter this week, stay tuned for our announcement on social media coming soon! [Image description: Three young athletes in athletic attire smiling together after a race. The athlete in the center is wearing a medal.]

Congratulations to @franciscolucien who is our September social media contest winner!! Lucien matched with guides Daniel and Dean to complete a marathon with a successful time of 3:06! Congratulations to all three of you, and we are so happy that you were able to connect on United in Stride!

If you didn`t catch our October social media contest in our newsletter this week, stay tuned for our announcement on social media coming soon!

[Image description: Three young athletes in athletic attire smiling together after a race. The athlete in the center is wearing a medal.]

Open
Congratulations to @franciscolucien who is our September social media contest winner!! Lucien matched with guides Daniel and Dean to complete a marathon with a successful time of 3:06! Congratulations to all three of you, and we are so happy that you were able to connect on United in Stride! If you didn't catch our October social media contest in our newsletter this week, stay tuned for our announcement on social media coming soon! [Image description: Three young athletes in athletic attire smiling together after a race. The athlete in the center is wearing a medal.]

If you liked the piece that we ran about Will Barkan the other day and want to read more, you`re in luck! He`s also profiled on the running news site I Run Far, and we loved reading it! Read the profile at the link in our bio!

[Image description: a group of people in athletic attire smiling together at the finish of a race.]

Image thumbnail from linked article at irunfar.com

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If you liked the piece that we ran about Will Barkan the other day and want to read more, you're in luck! He's also profiled on the running news site I Run Far, and we loved reading it! Read the profile at the link in our bio! [Image description: a group of people in athletic attire smiling together at the finish of a race.] Image thumbnail from linked article at irunfar.com

Did you know there are 19 fields that you can edit on your United In Stride Profile? If you haven`t gone in to edit your profile recently, probably not! There`s lots of great information that you are able to share about yourself, like your level of guided running experience, whether you can speak ASL, and your other athletic interests! Make sure your profile is fully up to date to increase your chances of finding partners!

[Image description: Graphic reminder to update all 19 fields of your profile, featuring neon green list elements and a hand icon pointing on a dark blue background.]

Open
Did you know there are 19 fields that you can edit on your United In Stride Profile? If you haven't gone in to edit your profile recently, probably not! There's lots of great information that you are able to share about yourself, like your level of guided running experience, whether you can speak ASL, and your other athletic interests! Make sure your profile is fully up to date to increase your chances of finding partners! [Image description: Graphic reminder to update all 19 fields of your profile, featuring neon green list elements and a hand icon pointing on a dark blue background.]

We were lucky enough to sit down with blind ultramarathoner Will Barkan for an interview which is now live on our blog! Check out our profile on Will at the link in our bio!

[Image description: Two individuals smiling after a race, wearing athletic gear with one in a red shirt and a medal and the other in a blue shirt labeled "United in Stride".]

Open
We were lucky enough to sit down with blind ultramarathoner Will Barkan for an interview which is now live on our blog! Check out our profile on Will at the link in our bio! [Image description: Two individuals smiling after a race, wearing athletic gear with one in a red shirt and a medal and the other in a blue shirt labeled "United in Stride".]

In case you haven`t had a chance to check it out yet, we are excited to announce a fresh new look for our website`s homepage! All of the old features that you know and use frequently are still there, like the navigation bar across the top of the page, the Find a Partner button, and the Sign Up button.

But we`re also featuring other exciting things more prominently! First thing you see is a new photo banner with regularly rotating pictures of community members. Send us your photos and you might just get to see yourself on the site! We also have a step-by-step guide for how to use the site as well as our Guiding 101 video prominently featured. Then as you scroll down, we also have segments dedicated to Our Community, our Blog, and News, all of which update on a regular basis with our social media, newsletter, and other news coverage and highlight our community members like YOU! We`re super excited to make our homepage a dynamic and community-oriented space that you`ll be excited to visit often!

Check out unitedinstride.com!

[Image description: Logo of United in Stride above text announcing `Homepage Redesign!` with an icon of a computer screen displaying a globe.]

Open
In case you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, we are excited to announce a fresh new look for our website's homepage! All of the old features that you know and use frequently are still there, like the navigation bar across the top of the page, the Find a Partner button, and the Sign Up button. But we're also featuring other exciting things more prominently! First thing you see is a new photo banner with regularly rotating pictures of community members. Send us your photos and you might just get to see yourself on the site! We also have a step-by-step guide for how to use the site as well as our Guiding 101 video prominently featured. Then as you scroll down, we also have segments dedicated to Our Community, our Blog, and News, all of which update on a regular basis with our social media, newsletter, and other news coverage and highlight our community members like YOU! We're super excited to make our homepage a dynamic and community-oriented space that you'll be excited to visit often! Check out unitedinstride.com! [Image description: Logo of United in Stride above text announcing 'Homepage Redesign!' with an icon of a computer screen displaying a globe.]

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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