When Thomas Panek started losing his vision as a teenager, he refused to see the barriers it would bring.
Instead, the runner became the first blind person to finish the United Airlines Half Marathon in New York City with the support of a trio of guide dogs, which took turns tunny by his side.
“It’s hard not being able to see,” he said through tears at the finish line Sunday. “And now, but just to say to people who are blind, just get out there. You can do it. You can do anything.”
This is proof it really does take a village.
And that village includes Waffle, Westley and Gus.
A big thank you to our friends at @NYRR for their support and accommodation which makes today’s #UnitedNYCHalf marathon for Thomas and the relay of running guide dogs a reality. pic.twitter.com/mAYaKiw3EK
— Guiding Eyes (@GuidingEyes) March 17, 2019
Panek is president and chief executive officer of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
The non-profit that helps connect people with vision loss with guide dogs.
And this run was dedicated to raising awareness about his organization.
Tom Panek and his dog Gus speak with @CBSNews after becoming the first blind runner to race the #UnitedNYCHalf guides by dogs. pic.twitter.com/8i2TmoZ0Iz
— NYRR Media Relations (@nyrrnews) March 17, 2019
And for one guide dog, this is the end of the professional road.
#GoodBoyGus earned his #UnitedNYCHalf medal and will now step into retirement. Congratulations Thomas and the entire Running Guides team!
Help fund the #GuidingEyes Running Guides Program and all our services that bring #GuideDogs to people in need: https://t.co/pG1OTq4gyw pic.twitter.com/npPJimQDRB— Guiding Eyes (@GuidingEyes) March 17, 2019
It was incredible for those who witnessed it.
Amazing accomplishment!! Thomas Panek is visually impaired. Today, he ran the @nyrr half marathon with the help of three guide dogs trained by @GuidingEyes pic.twitter.com/I3YSA2l7EP
— Lydia S. Hu (@LydiaHuNews) March 17, 2019
Oh yay! Go! Go! Go! Consider helping @GuidingEyes to train more #guidedogs to run with those they help. It’s fun for the dog and helps the #blind be more active 🏃🏻♂️🏃🏽♀️ https://t.co/YJpGa0omFA @NY1 https://t.co/sIXFrjVbQK
— Angi Gonzalez (@AnchorAngi) March 17, 2019
This story will definitely make your Monday.
The New York City Half Marathon is this Sunday and Thomas Panek will become the first blind person to run the race led completely by guide dogs pic.twitter.com/EHKJNWttbo
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) March 16, 2019
Photos @guidingeyes/Twitter
