Fifty-year-old Chen Hong and 40-year-old Lei Na from Chongqing have inscribed their names in the annals of history by becoming the first blind couple in China to complete a full marathon.

During the 2024 Shanghai Marathon on Dec 1, assisted by five escort runners, Chen and Lei accomplished a 42.19-kilometer full marathon in 5 hours and 47 minutes.

"As we crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, the overwhelming cheers and praise enveloped us in a moment of indescribable happiness and joy," Chen recalled.

"A marathon is all about resilience, perseverance and faith. Now every time I meet obstacles, I remind myself that I am a marathon runner."

Their marathon journey began on Oct 15, 2022 — the 39th White Cane Safety Day — with the founding of the Chongqing branch of Running in the Dark.

Originating in Shanghai in 2016, Running in the Dark, a national charity that supports partially sighted runners, has grown to 27 branches across the country. The organization has also broadened its scope to incorporate sports such as hiking, cycling and swimming.

Among the earliest participants and dedicated attendees in Chongqing, Chen and Lei seldom miss any of the branch's monthly or bimonthly running events. Despite both losing their eyesight a few years ago due to congenital glaucoma, the couple has steadily honed their running skills, with their escort runners alongside.

The participants run in pairs, holding a short rope between them.

One person is visually impaired and the other acts as an escort runner, who alerts the former to turns, obstacles on the track and running techniques.

"We serve as their eyes, but they help us see from our souls. Each makes the other better," said Lu Wei, founder of the Chongqing branch. "By removing the obstacles they face during exercise, we hope to create a closer bond with each other."

Lu, 52, started running full marathons in 2015. He was previously the escort for famed marathon runner Yan Wei, the first partially sighted runner from the Chinese mainland to finish the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the six major global marathons.

Lu said the majority of the over 200 partially sighted members in the Chongqing branch have totally lost their eyesight and earned their living as masseurs.

The branch boasts a volunteer base of more than 400 people from diverse backgrounds, spanning ages from their 20s to 50s, with many either professional or seasoned runners.

"In one event with the most volunteer participation, four escort runners accompanied and coached me," Lei said.

In March last year, the couple completed their first half-marathon in Chongqing's Yongchuan district.

To prepare for the full marathon in Shanghai, they spent eight months diligently engaged in running and various exercises such as rope skipping, wall sits and planks, to enhance their physical and core strength.

"I think more people with disabilities should connect with society, which gives them love and respect, rather than isolating themselves at home. We only live once, so why not reveal our true colors?" Chen said.

Chen lamented that he and his wife failed to get chance to attend the 2025 Chongqing Marathon on March 2. However, he said they hope to inspire more people.

By 2023, approximately 85.9 million people in China were living with disabilities, accounting for 6.3 percent of the population, according to China Disabled Persons' Federation.

The white paper "China's Parasports: Progress and the Protection of Rights" released by the State Council Information Office in March 2022, said historic progress has been made in parasports since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012.

The report noted that participation rates of disabled people in grassroots cultural and sports activities in China have soared from 6.8 percent in 2015 to 23.9 percent in 2021.

Chen has run a massage parlor with his wife in the city's Shapingba district for almost 20 years.

In his spare time, the man with a deep passion for Chinese literature finds enjoyment in writing short poems to express his thoughts and feelings, and posting them on his WeChat moments.

Recently, the Chongqing branch introduced a Chinese literature class aimed at enriching the knowledge of traditional Chinese studies among the partially sighted. "It's just the beginning of their brand-new lives," said Lu, adding that these partially sighted members, many of whom were initially struggling to run one lap, are now enthusiastic about running a marathon.

So far, some 30 of their partially sighted members have participated in a marathon.

"Despite being unable to see the world themselves, they not only showcase their efforts, but also present an optimistic outlook on life, truly deserving of our admiration," Lu said.

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