No sight, no sweat for Chongqing runners

Forming bonds

The club soon became popular via word-of-mouth.

"It is a fast-growing group," said Lu Wei, founder of the Chongqing branch.

According to the 50-year-old, there are more than 100 runners in the group, most of whom have totally lost their eyesight and who earn a living as masseurs. There are also over 100 volunteers from all walks of life, ranging from their 20s to their 50s, who are either professional or experienced runners.

Lu, who looks younger than his age, started running full marathons in 2015. He was previously the escort for famed marathon runner Yan Wei, the first visually impaired runner from the Chinese mainland to finish the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the six major global marathons.

"We serve as their eyes, but they help us see from our souls. Each makes the other better," Lu said, adding that there is a lot more that the sighted could learn from impaired members, who are usually simpler, happier and less vain. "By removing the obstacles they face during exercise, we hope to create a close bond."

Married couple Chen Hong, 49, and Lei Na, 39, who both lost their eyesight a few years ago from congenital glaucoma, usually show up to events accompanied by their 13-year-old son, who sometimes serves as their supplementary escort runner.

"We may not run as much as others, but it is a good opportunity for us to step outside for a workout, and to make friends," Lei said.