Sajid Ali is one of our amazing Leeds 10K runners, inspiring visually impaired young people to get into sport

Leeds local Sajid Ali is excited to join us for the 15^th anniversary of the Leeds 10K on Sunday 3^rd July. Running events are a bit different for Sajid than they are for other participants due to being blind. However, Sajid never lets that stop him getting out, taking part in running events, and living an active lifestyle.

Sajid lost his sight when he was very young, after suffering an injury to his retina. The doctors told his parents there was little that could be done, and that his vision would gradually deteriorate throughout his life. He is now blind and uses a cane in his day to day life. Sighted people often assume that Sajid’s life must be so different to theirs but in reality, he just goes to work, enjoys getting out for a run or going to concerts, and lots of other things that sighted people also enjoy.

However, Sajid has found that the running community is very welcoming and accepting. “I just like the fact that people can talk to you when you’re running and treat you like an equal. All the camaraderie, all the jokes, it’s great.” Other runners are usually pretty open to guiding him on a run, even if they’ve never done it before.

What does guiding a runner entail? Sajid usually uses a tether to keep himself attached to his guide. This is usually a cotton rope, but he’s also used a bungee cord or even a handbag strap if it’s all he’s got on hand. The guide then helps him avoid hazards and cross roads safely.

He encourages people to give guiding a go: “If someone comes to a run who is visually impaired or blind, then give it a go and help them out! It’s just like how you would guide someone while walking, but of course you’re running.” He said people are often worried he’ll fall over, but that even though that has happened, he doesn’t really mind and sees it as part of the learning experience. However, you can also learn to guide in a more official capacity through England Athletics.

Sajid doesn’t just rely on his guide while running – his hearing also helps him a lot. He’s good at listening for runners and figuring out the direction they’re travelling in. However, when it’s busy and loud (like at events), it can be tricky to hear what’s going on, so his guide is really important at these times. The guide always wears a bright t-shirt that says GUIDE at races, so people know to look out. Although, he laughs as he remembers an event when another participant was a bit lost in his own world and ended up getting tangled in the tether rope.

Sajid has had lots of great times at 10K races. One of his running highlights was at his first ever 10K. He recalls really struggling but “there was this little kid there, and he was just cheering me on like ‘oh, come on blind man! You can do it!’, and I just love when kids come out with stuff like that. I thought it was so sweet, it was just so cute.”

As you can tell, Sajid has a good sense of humour. He doesn’t mind when people ask how they can help or what they should be doing to support him, and encourages people to “just ask”. He also wants to inspire more visually impaired people to get into running or other sports, and the parents of visually impaired kids to take their kids along to running events. “Just let them fall – it’s all a part of it. It’s a disability, but not a barrier.”

Sajid is really looking forward to taking on the Leeds 10K on Sunday 3^rd July. Leeds is his hometown, and he’s lived here most of his life. “It’s a vibrant city,” and he’s looking forward to “the crowd, and the atmosphere.” He recently did a 10K run with his guide at Roundhay Park, and he’s feeling hopeful he’ll get a new PB of 01:15. We wish him the best of luck!