Blog: “It’s nice to challenge perceptions”

Hi I’m Gavin, I’m 39, I live in London and I will be running the Virgin Money London Marathon for the third time this year. This will be the first time running it with my dedicated guide runner, Dave.

Dave was able to step in as Gavin’s guide runner this year after Gavin contacted him via the England Athletics’ Find a Guide database.

“Gav contacted me last summer and we went from there. Although he keeps sending tweets to Anthony Joshua asking him to be his guide – I’m feeling pretty sore about that!”

“My goal is to get us both round in one piece – that’s my job, to support Gav as best I can, but let’s face it, running through an amazing city as part of an iconic event like the Virgin Money London Marathon is pretty cool too!”

I have always been involved in sports such as football and cricket since a young age and represented Great Britain in these sports too. Running was something that was part of either the sport or training I undertook. It was only when I was in my early twenties that I started running as a way of keeping fit and destressing while at university.

The London Marathon is a great event, and the atmosphere is amazing. I have been on the waiting list for a guide dog for about a year, and wanted to help raise some money for the great charity so the opportunity to combine the two is great.

There is a saying ‘find that one thing that makes you feel free’ – that is my motivation for being active. Whether I am running with Dave, working out down the gym or representing my country (although I’m now retired).

Sport and activity is great for the mind and body, which is part of where my motivation to run the London Marathon comes from. Being active is something I have always been involved with since I was a young boy but I faced many challenges due to my sight and hearing deteriorating – this has made participation more challenging for me and it is people like Dave and sports organisations that help give disabled people a chance to participate in sport and activities.

I have to say that one of the things that I’m really looking forward to is beating Dave - as my guide he cannot leave me, and technically he’s not allowed to cross the line before me. Obviously I am also looking forward to achieving my goal of finishing with a personal best, and my kids seeing me run past.

We have been training hard and trying to stick to a structured programme, this has required a fair bit of flexibility and very early morning runs at the weekend. However, we both have good support from our partners and always try and have coffee after the training run and chat about how things are going and plan ahead.

Dave explains about potential challenges for the Virgin Money London Marathon and what being a guide runner means to him.

“Communication is going to be a challenge thanks to 40,000 other runners around us, and up to a million spectators cheering. So to prepare we are running a couple of half marathons in the lead-up to the big run,”

“Guide running has been a breath of fresh air, and there isn’t just one thing that I enjoy most about being a guide. I have to say that I am very lucky because I get on really well with Gav. It’s nice to share our collective and reflected successes. Gav usually texts me before I’ve got home to ask me to upload our running data – I think this is because he knows he’s going to get lots of cheers on Strava!”

“I also find it hugely satisfying that I am able to support Gav live the sort of active lifestyle he wants to lead.”

I’m lucky to have found Dave, he is pretty on the ball when it comes to planning and making sure we have prepared the best we can. I think the fact we can have a joke and a laugh along the way, enjoy a coffee or beer afterwards makes it fun and something we both enjoy doing.

Running for me has given me a positive mind-set and made me more energized about day to day stuff. Some of that is down to having a goal and challenge to focus on but also it’s about good social inclusion. Running brings people together in all sorts of ways and sometimes as a disabled person you can feel a little excluded from society. So, it’s been nice to be noticed, raise awareness in a positive way and challenge perceptions. 

The only barrier to getting out there and taking part in sport or physical activity is yourself - that doesn’t change if you are disabled or not!

That first step can be daunting, but if you’re starting out it doesn’t have to be. There are quite a few blind and visually impaired sports clubs such as Metro which are based in London. They undertake a range of sports such as football, cricket, running, tennis, bowls and so on for those who are visually impaired. There are also lots of nice people like Dave who are keen to support those who want to run.

Gavin is raising money for The Association of Guide Dogs Charity. To support Gavin head over to his fundraising page. 

Dave is raising money for Wooden Spoon's, the children’s charity of rugby, #MyEverest challenge. To support Dave head over to his fundraising page.  

If you're interested in becoming a guide runner, or wanting to a find a guide please visit British Blind Sport's website.