The effort helping visually impaired athletes run the California International Marathon
Every December, nearly 10,000 runners take to the streets for the California International Marathon.
They run to accomplish a goal that only one-hundredth of the world's population can say they can have done. That goal is even more impressive when hindered by a disability.
Roger Oberholzer lost his sight when he was 30 years old. As a child, he contracted a rare disorder called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can include blindness as a complication in severe cases.
"I was in a coma for six weeks," Oberholzer said.
His vision was never the same. Doctors tried several different corneas, but it never came into focus.
“I think I had a total of 50 different surgeries and transplants combined,” he added. “When you have so many surgeries, my retinas started having problems too."
Eventually, Oberholzer’s retinas detached, and he lost his remaining vision.
Regardless, that does not keep the 51-year-old from seeking the finish line. Five years ago, he decided to run a marathon for the first time. He has now run CIM five times, including this year.
And he hasn't stopped since.
In addition to his CIM appearances, he also competed in the New York, Boston and Chicago marathons. He also plans to run marathons in London, Berlin and Tokyo.
To prepare for these runs, Oberholzer starts his day, usually before the sun comes up.
To help him run, he has a guide by his side every step of the way.
Those guides are on a volunteer basis. United in Stride is an organization that helps visually impaired athletes by pairing them with a guide. Richard Hunter, who has run 28 marathons himself and also lost his sight, founded the group.
“It’s not just about running during the race,” Hunter said. “Guides are needed to help get visually impaired runners to the starting line.”
Hunter said guides are needed not only on race day but also for everyday training sessions.
Zeynep Tunay Stanich is another person who benefits from groups like United in Stride. She was 13 when she started losing her sight. She has also just run her first CIM.
“I decided I want to try something that I've been told I could not do all my life,” Stanich said. “I found myself in a group of people who tell me every day that I can do it."