Thomas Panek Serves as the First Visually Impaired Runner Accompanied Only by Guide Dogs to Finish NYC Half Marathon

President & CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Thomas Panek participated for the first time ever, in the NYC Half Marathon on March 17.

Thomas Panek served as the first blind person to run the NYC Half Marathon accompanied only by guide dogs. His furry friends Gus, Westley, and Waffle helped guide him to the finish line!

We sat with Thomas before the race and here’s what he had to say:

The Knockturnal: How are you feeling about the NYC Half Marathon? 

Thomas Panek: “I’m feeling pretty good. Gus and I have been getting ready for this day for a long time. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend here at the New York Half Marathon. I’m looking forward to finishing the half together with Gus; he’s going to anchor the race and get a medal at the end so we’re really looking forward to it.”

The Knockturnal: Why Gus? 

Thomas Panek: “Gus has been running with me for about five years—he’s apart of our running guides program, which helps blind athletes stay active by providing them with a guide dog. These dogs love to run.”

The Knockturnal: What are some of the benefits of training here in Central Park today? 

Nick Speranza: “Confidence is high and we are very excited about doing this. And confident in our dogs and their capability of guiding Thomas through this Half Marathon. Tom and his ability to handle a guide dog is phenomenal. And if anything, this is even sharper and focused even more— dealing with various speeds and moving him through and the dogs guiding through the crowds here in Central Park. It offers a really unique situation here in Central Park where you have larger groups of runners than you may have been exposed to in West Chester. So the exposure here is excellent.”

The Knockturnal: What are you most looking forward to post NYC Half Marathon?

Nick Speranza: “Hopefully this is an inspiration for people to get on the wellness train. It doesn’t have to just be an athlete that might be interested in running with a guide dog. It can be an everyday person that just wants to get back in shape.”