For a blind runner, the New York marathon is about ‘vibrations’

NEW YORK – Jasmine Murrell would not be able to marvel at the stunning skyline or the massive crowd while she takes part in her first New York City Marathon on Nov 3, but the blind runner intends to feed off the race’s “vibrations”.

Her husband, Kevin Orcel, who also has glaucoma but at an earlier stage, is along for the ride.

“We’ll be at the starting line together, and then after a mile or two, she’s gone,” he said with a smile.

Murrell has already completed a marathon, in Houston in January, while Orcel has only a dozen half-marathons under his belt.

Each runner will be accompanied by two volunteer guides from Achilles International, a global organisation that helps people with disabilities participate in athletics.

One of Murrell’s two partner-racers has been training with her.

“It’s important,” said the 36-year-old Murrell. “I feel like we have the connection. We understand each other. They already know what to call out and what’s the best way to communicate with me.”

She can see only “shadows and shapes” on her right side and nothing on the left.

Orcel is able to track “figures and movements” but cannot make out writings. He said: “So I tell my guys, always read the signs to me – a lot of them are pretty funny, and they can be pretty motivational.”

As for Murrell, she added: “It’s going to be the vibrations of the crowds and then cheering and all of that noise, it’ll translate into stimulation, as vibrations, so I’ll still be able to feel the energy and get that rush of adrenaline.”

Tianna Biscone, a guide from Achilles, said she is sure to “always ask preferences first” regarding how, and what, runners want to communicate.

“For some people, running is really difficult and they just want to focus on their run,” said the 26-year-old data analyst.

“But it’s so fun, especially during a marathon, to call out funny signs or funny costumes that we see... helping them experience it in a different kind of way.”

Being part of a crowd of 50,000-plus runners when visually impaired or blind sounds like a challenge, especially in New York, where many participants have limited or no understanding of English.

“My first run I ever went was at 22, and I had never moved without my cane,” recalled Francesco Magisano, Achilles’ director for the New York City region.

“Trusting that nothing was in front of me, just running into nothingness, it’s just one of the scariest thing I’ve ever done.”

Magisano, who is blind, overcame that, but “it took a few months of consistent running to get to the point where I felt comfortable enough that I could sort of relax a little bit”.

He has since run a marathon in 3hr 30min and was the first person with disabilities to compete in an Ultraman event – the equivalent of several gruelling Iron Man triathlons packed into one.

Traditionally, a visually impaired runner is linked to a guide by a tether. A second partner runs just ahead to track any obstacles or hazards. A guide must constantly check the course ahead, added Sarah Luposello, another Achilles volunteer.

“Is there a path? Is there a pothole? Is there a manhole cover or banana peels? Is there a water station?” she said.

For Biscone, the challenge is unique.

“I always lose my voice after I’m guiding a marathon, because you’re talking the entire time,” she said. “That’s why I love it so much.”

As for the visually impaired athletes, getting used to running can transform the experience from scary to exhilarating.

“As a blind person, crossing the road is probably one of the scariest things you’re doing,” said Orcel. “So being able to be out and running on the road, and knowing that the path is protected, I think that’s pretty freeing.”

His wife agreed.

“It’s just fun,” Murrell said. “Just to not have to think about anything. All I have to do is just run and get to the finish line.” AFP