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.

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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Visually impaired runner Kyle Robidoux giving a thumbs up wearing a blind bib.

Scott Jurek to guide Western States’ first legally blind racer

Kyle Robidoux is a legally blind runner set to race the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run in California. Not only is this the first time the race has had a participant who is legally blind, but one of Robidoux’s guides will be Scott Jurek, who won this race a record seven straight times from 1999 to 2005.

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Nick Silver (left) runs on the track alongside guide Liz Houghton

I was able to do it: How Nick Silver kept running as he lost his eyesight

Nick Silver began to lose his vision at a young age. Running with guides has helped him through some of the toughest times.

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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!

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".]

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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.]

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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.]

Did you now that United in Stride members get a 10% discount on RUSeen running vests?? Visit the Additional Resources page on our website linked below to find out how you can claim your discount code!

[Image description: A guide runner and a blind runner participating in a marathon. The blind runner is wearing a bright yellow vest with the word "Blind" on it and is pumping their fist in the air as they run.]

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Did you now that United in Stride members get a 10% discount on RUSeen running vests?? Visit the Additional Resources page on our website linked below to find out how you can claim your discount code! [Image description: A guide runner and a blind runner participating in a marathon. The blind runner is wearing a bright yellow vest with the word "Blind" on it and is pumping their fist in the air as they run.]

Happy Friday! We hope you`re striding into your weekend like our United in Stride Ambassador Jessica and UIS Member Lupita, shown here running the Houston Half Marathon!

[Image description: Two participants are seen running in a marathon on a sunny day, surrounded by other runners in the background. Both individuals are dressed in marathon attire, with the person on the left wearing a reflective vest, sunglasses, cap, and a participant bib. The person on the right, sporting a visor and sunglasses, wears a marathon bib with the number "120963." The scene captures the energy and activity typical of a marathon event.]

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Happy Friday! We hope you're striding into your weekend like our United in Stride Ambassador Jessica and UIS Member Lupita, shown here running the Houston Half Marathon! [Image description: Two participants are seen running in a marathon on a sunny day, surrounded by other runners in the background. Both individuals are dressed in marathon attire, with the person on the left wearing a reflective vest, sunglasses, cap, and a participant bib. The person on the right, sporting a visor and sunglasses, wears a marathon bib with the number "120963." The scene captures the energy and activity typical of a marathon event.]

Congratulations to @blindmomtherunner , the winner of our June/July Social Media Challenge! We`ve been inspired to see your adventures with many guides across many activities!

Our other winners are @c26coachjeremyscherer for documenting his journey to the Detroit Free Press Marathon as a guide for his friend Camilo, and @camp_abilities_texas for their highlight of their guiding programs for youth!

Congratulations to ALL winners, and please remember to send us a message to claim your UIS gear prize!

We`ll be running frequent giveaways, so make sure to keep posting your UIS adventures and remember to tag us in order to receive your gear and get featured on our feed! Happy trails everyone!

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Congratulations to @blindmomtherunner , the winner of our June/July Social Media Challenge! We've been inspired to see your adventures with many guides across many activities! Our other winners are @c26coachjeremyscherer for documenting his journey to the Detroit Free Press Marathon as a guide for his friend Camilo, and @camp_abilities_texas for their highlight of their guiding programs for youth! Congratulations to ALL winners, and please remember to send us a message to claim your UIS gear prize! We'll be running frequent giveaways, so make sure to keep posting your UIS adventures and remember to tag us in order to receive your gear and get featured on our feed! Happy trails everyone!

Join us in celebrating United in Stride member Will Barkan for his running in the Western States 100 this weekend! This is a huge accomplishment and we`re so thrilled to support him!

Read more about his story at the link in our bio!

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Join us in celebrating United in Stride member Will Barkan for his running in the Western States 100 this weekend! This is a huge accomplishment and we're so thrilled to support him! Read more about his story at the link in our bio!

We`re thrilled to see two United in Stride members featured in the last latest issue of MAJORS magazine!

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We're thrilled to see two United in Stride members featured in the last latest issue of MAJORS magazine!

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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