Pet Lovers

[feline groovy]

Blind runner makes history by becoming the first to complete the NYC Half Marathon without any human help thanks to his three Labrador guide dogs: Waffle, Westley, and Gus

• Thomas Panek, a blind runner assisted by a relay team of three guide dogs, made history on Sunday by completing the New York City Half Marathon without
• Panek, 48, ran along with three Labrador retrievers, Waffle, Westley and Gus, according to the Guiding Eyes For The Blind's website, a charity that trains dogs
• Panek became the first blind runner to complete the race led by dogs instead of other runners, according to the charity and also the website of the running club
• He finished the 13.1-mile race just under two-and-a-half hours. Each dog ran between three-to-five miles and Panek's pace averaged 10.5 minutes per mile

By REUTERS

Daily Mail UK   PUBLISHED: 03:19 EDT, 18 March 2019 | UPDATED: 14:31 EDT, 18 March 2019

A blind runner, assisted by a relay team of three guide dogs, made history on Sunday by completing the 2019 United Airlines New York City Half Marathon without any human help.

Thomas Panek, 48, ran along with three Labrador retrievers, Waffle, Westley, and Gus, according to the Guiding Eyes For The Blind's website, a charity that trains dogs for the visually impaired.

Panek became the first blind runner to complete the race led by dogs instead of other runners, according to the charity and also the website of the running club, New York Runners.

He finished the 13.1-mile race just under two-and-a-half hours, according to the club.

Each dog ran between three-to-five miles and Panek's pace averaged 10.5 minutes per mile, the club reported.

Panek lost his sight in his early 20s, CNN News and other media reported. 

He had previously finished about 20 races with the help of human guides.

'When I lost my sight I was too scared to run,' he told CBS News, which added that after he adjusted to being blind, he ran again, but only with a fellow runner.

'Although many people run with running clubs, at the end of the day you're running your own race,' he told the network. 'And when you're tied to another person, it's no longer your race. The independence isn't there.

After the race, Guiding Eyes posted a photo on twitter of Panek smiling broadly while hugging his dog Gus, with both wearing marathon medals around their necks.

Panek, a lifelong runner, is the president and chief executive officer of the New York-based charity.

About 20,000 runners competed in the St. Patrick's Day race which passed through New York's Times Square. 

[2blonde]

@feline groovy    Yes!  I saw this on the news the other day.  Very remarkabie, and I love the little running shoes on the dog!

You know, I'm a runner with good eyesight for the last 34 years, and I hate to admit I've tripped or stepped on a stone and fallen several times in the past (more careful now that I'm older).  I can't imagine how a blind person could do this even with the dog.  Kudos to this guy!

[threecees]

@feline groovy  Beautiful pictures. My favorite is Thomas hugging one of the

dogs that has his tongue sticking out. Amazing story.

Great inspiration. I wish I could do that!

[Love my grandkids]

This story and photos just made my day. And who doesn't just love those doggy smiles!!!

[sophiesofers]

This is beautiful!  Congratulations Thomas on your awesome run.  Your doggies are precious. I love how the dogs are wearing their shoes too.  God Bless you sir.  

[hayseed00]

@feline groovy Great story, thank you.

[ScenicMaine]

@feline groovy 

Thank you for posting this great story.  

Incredible how Thomas has the courage & strength to attempt a marathon.  I'm so glad the 3 labs were there to assist him.  I can't imagine doing this, so kuddos to them all.

There're so many reasons for us to love animals.