Guide Runner
A sighted athlete who runs alongside a visually impaired runner to help them race safely and on course.
Definition
A guide runner is a sighted partner who accompanies a blind or partially sighted runner during training and competition, usually connected by a short tether held between the hands and communicating through speech to signal bends, obstacles, pace, and the finish. The guide runs at the athlete's shoulder so that the runner sets the effort while the guide provides orientation and safety.
In formal competition the guide is a genuine part of the team, must not pull or propel the athlete, and in many events crosses the line just behind the runner. Guide running demands matched fitness, trust, and clear verbal cues, and in some championships a guide who supports a medal-winning athlete may also be recognised for their role.
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Adaptive sports
- Sports for Blind and Visually Impaired AthletesSports adapted with sound, touch and guiding support so that athletes who are blind or have low vision can take part and compete.
- Adaptive sport organisationsThe bodies and groups — international, national and local — that organise, govern and support adaptive and para sport.
- Ambulant Para SportsPara sports for athletes who compete standing or on foot — walking or running — rather than from a wheelchair or seated position.
Tactics
- Negative splitA pacing tactic where an athlete covers the second half of a race faster than the first.
- Pacing strategyPlanning how to distribute effort across a race so energy lasts the full distance without fading.
- DraftingRiding, running or swimming close behind another competitor to save energy in their slipstream.
Scoring systems
- How running races are timed and placedRunning races are decided by finishing order and by elapsed time, measured precisely and settled by the moment a runner's torso crosses the line.
- How cycling races are timed and placedCycling races are decided either by who crosses the line first or by fastest time, and stage races add up cumulative times to rank riders overall.
Skills
- PacingThe skill of managing effort and speed so it lasts the whole distance or event.
- Running formThe skill of running with efficient, relaxed and balanced movement.
- SprintingThe skill of running or riding at maximum controlled speed over a short distance.
- BreathingThe skill of controlling the breath rhythmically to sustain effort and stay relaxed.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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