First-ever Visually Impaired Person completes Victoria Parkrun course

WARRINGTON Parkrun, based at Victoria Park, had its first-ever Visually Impaired Person participant on Saturday morning.

Geoff Settle, former Mayor of Warrington was delighted to see Sian Johnson approaching ‘Helen’s Corner,’ where he marshals, with coach Helen Darbyshire of his former club, Warrington Athletic Club.

He said, “I was looking back towards Black Bear Canal bridge when I spotted a white cane with a what looks like a white golf ball moving from side to side. Sian was with Richard Wake the event tail walker and his trusty white Scottie terrier and Denise Beattie, Sian’s guide. As chair of the Warrington Visually Impaired People (WVIP) I was delighted to see the lady walking at a good pace.
“I had been asked 12 months before by another marshal Scott McCue (who likes being called Scotties) if any of our members had ever thought about doing the event. Scottie told me that he had qualified as a running guide and was prepared to take on a WVIP member and guide them around the 5km course. Our member’s average age is the same as mine seventy plus. So, there weren’t any takers but here was a lady who proved that it could be done. Scott told me that he had guided a VIP to a 5 and a half hour London Marathon
Geoff said the WVIP hold a chair exercise class on a Wednesday, to help members keep fit and flexible, in association with the Wolves Foundation. He is still hopeful that someone will emerge from the group as their fitness and confidence grows. Keeping fit is a key element for wellbeing and members have great fun some say hysterically so.
Geoff whose marshal duties had finished for the day now that the tail walker had passed by Helen’s corner joined Sian, Denise and Richard to the finish and talk chatted about Sian’s objectives to get back to active sport. Sian said: “I am using sport as part of my recovery from sight loss. I have mastered cycling with a guide and I’m now turning to my local Parkrun as a way of improving fitness.”
Race Director Huw Jones said: “This is fantastic news illustrating that the Parkrun community cater for all people. Today we have had our first VIP and next week we have two tourists joining us from the south. It’s a bit like buses you wait years for one to arrive and then suddenly three turn up. Anyone who goes away from their home base is known by the Parkrun community as a tourist.”
Geoff added: “Over the years I have watched many people pass my marshalling position and go on to improve their times and fitness. It is a great community event, and we offer a variety of roles including marshalling, time keeping and recorded, funnel management etc. Don’t worry if you aren’t fit, any doubts check with your doctor. As tail walker Richard stays at the back and will look after you as you walk around. Hopefully you will enjoy the event and get fitter each week.”
“After taking time out from two hip replacement operations I’m starting over again. Next week I will be a tourist, but I haven’t chosen my venue, it might be the Widnes Parkrun which is flat like Warrington or the Dream at Sutton Manor which is a killer climb. It’s free and there are hundreds to chose from just log on to parkrun.org print your barcode and off you go. You won’t be alone because there were 594 participants today, start at the back and don’t go to fast during your first event, the marshals will be cheering you on and keeping an eye on how you are going.”