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Clarke Reynolds on May 17, 2022
Credit: David Clarke/Solent News/Shutterstock
NEED TO KNOW
- Clarke Reynolds, who has 5% vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, will run the Brighton Marathon using smart glasses
- Volunteers worldwide will guide Reynolds in real-time through the Be My Eyes app connected to his smart glasses
- Reynolds previously completed the London Marathon with a guide
A blind runner in England is set to take part in a marathon using smart glasses.
On Thursday, April 2, the Fight for Sight charity announced in a press release that Clarke Reynolds, 45, will be participating in the upcoming Brighton Marathon on April 12.
Officials said that hundreds of Be My Eyes volunteers will also be joining remotely to cheer on Reynolds, also known as Mr Dot, in what has been described as "a world first." The race will see volunteers viewing Reynold’s route via Meta and Be My Eyes.
“Be My Eyes is an app which connects people who are blind or have low vision with volunteers worldwide through live video and artificial intelligence,” the organization said, noting that the app will be connected to Reynold’s Rayban Meta Wayfarer smart glasses at the time of the race.
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Clarke Reynolds
Credit: Clarke Reynolds/Instagram
Volunteers will then take turns to “see what’s in front of” the runner, “through the glasses (from Clarke’s perspective) via the Be My Eyes app on their smart device or laptop and join his run remotely in real-time, supporting and encouraging him along the 26.2-mile marathon route through the City.”
“Clarke’s volunteers will be carefully selected and briefed in advance, ensuring he can always reach familiar, prepared supporters when he needs assistance," the organization added.
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Reynolds only has 5% vision after inheriting Retinitis Pigmentosa. The condition causes the retina to gradually stop working, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Reynolds has been visually impaired in his right eye since he was 6 years old, but began going blind in his 30s, according to the BBC. "I went to the hospital and they sat me down and said, 'Mr. Reynolds, do you drive?,' " he recalled to the outlet. “I said yes, and they said, 'Hand over your license, you're going blind.' And that's how you were told."
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Clarke Reynolds' photo
Credit: Clarke Reynolds/Instagram
Reynolds said his vision is now like "looking underwater," per the Fight for Sight's press release.
Despite issues with sight, Reynolds is no stranger to running marathons. With the assistance of a guide, he previously completed the London Marathon. A trained guide runner will also be present to trail Reynolds for the Brighton event.
“This is a world first! I’m so excited! I’ll be the first blind person running a full marathon while being supported by volunteers using Be My Eyes,” Reynolds, who has raised £1155 out of his £2000 goal for the marathon as of Thursday, April 2, said in a statement. “This technology is so liberating!”
“Using the app is incredible! I head out for a run and say the three magic words, Be My Eyes, and there I am connected to someone who will support me,” he added. “They could be anywhere in the world!”
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