What was the original idea behind it?
Chatchai: I was already working with blind people. My company Klong Din Sor [pencil box] makes toys for blind children. After working with them for a while, I realized that many blind people are overweight as they don’t work out that much. So I came up with this idea for an event to encourage them to go out and exercise. I know that it’s hard for them to consider running. Even walking is hard when you’re blind. This is why we need sighted people to help them run together. The first run was in April last year and we now host it every month. It’s grown and there are people in wheelchairs joining now, too.
Is it hard to encourage visually-impaired people to run?
Chatchai: It’s pretty hard at the beginning. Our first event had only 12 blind people. There wasn’t enough PR and the blind people were also concerned about their ability to run. But after the first run, there was word of mouth that it’s not that hard to go out and run. Now, there are 60-70 blind runners joining us every month. The big event is this Mar 20. There will be more than 360 blind runners joining.
Why did you join this event as sighted runner guides?
Piriya: I never thought of running with the blind before but I found it interesting after seeing the event shared on Facebook. I’d lost the drive to exercise for a long time and there is no better reason for me to run than to run for someone else. It helps me stick to my goal. Actually, my runner partner runs faster than me!
Nattaya: I normally run. But running with a partner is very different. You have to think about your partners. Instead of following your own rhythm, you need to check on your partner. Not just the speed, but whether he is OK with the run, in general. It makes me more positive. Their strength, their energy, is like a support for me.
As visually-impaired runners, what motivated you to join?
Few: It’s my first time and I kind of like it. I normally don’t exercise that much. So this is a chance to go out and meet people beyond my circle of friends or family.
Suwit: I love it. I love that it bridges the gap between people. Spending time together while running helps us learn about each other. The guides learn that we can lead a normal life like them, while disabled people learn that they can go out and spend more time outdoors. Many of us don’t want to go out as we don’t want to cause trouble to others. But after joining this kind of event, I see a lot of blind runners having the courage to go out more often.
What’s next?
Chatchai: Actually, at the running event on Mar 20, we plan to launch a project called Sao Wing Duay Kan [Run Together Pole] which aims to set up a meeting point for disabled runners and other runners using a yellow pole. This pole will be at the entrance of Lumphini Park at the King Rama VI monument. I also plan to expand this event in other provinces. I want more and more disabled people to join.
