Dave Beynon, aged 71 years, from Woking, who is registered severely vision impaired, and supported by Sight for Surrey, is running The Great South Run this Sunday 16th October, a fast and flat 10 mile /16km run along the coast of Portsmouth!
Dave got into running just over 3 ½ years ago when he decided to run the Woking Parkrun and loved it straight away and has just completed his 100th Parkrun at the weekend. Dave’s best Parkrun time is 24.54. Dave runs with a guide runner, who safely talks and guides him around the course and in March this year Dave completed his first half marathon in 2hours and 9 minutes.
Dave is now a member of two running clubs and has lost count on how many runs he has accomplished to date but he tells us “it’s in the hundreds.”
Dave has severe sight loss and well knows and understands the difficulties and challenges his disability imposes upon a person’s life.
Dave said, “I have had quite a few setbacks during my three and a half years of running ranging from muscle strains, ankle injuries, falls, cuts and bruises, collisions and even a near fatal asthma attack: I didn’t know I had asthma at the time! I bounce back every time with a strong resolve and a real love of running. My running friends are truly amazing and make it possible for me to do things like the Great South Run, they all deserve so much credit”.
Dave concludes, “I have ambitions that one day I might even become a national or world title winner for my age group and ability. My motto is ‘without ambition, there is no fruition’.
Lisa Fletcher, Head of Fundraising at Sight for Surrey said, “Dave’s running achievements are brilliant and we are delighted he has chosen to support us with his fundraising and wish him the best of runs. We urge people to sponsor Dave via his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-j-beynon-runs so he can smash his fundraising target of £500 and in turn we can help and support more people like Dave in the area”.
Sight for Surrey is a charity that offers a lifetime of support for people with a sight and or hearing loss.
