First blind runner to finish: Foot injury can't halt Katy

Dubai - As she crossed the finish line of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon four hours and 42 minutes after she started it, the look of triumph on Katy Newitt's face said it all.

Handicapped not just by the loss of sight, the visually impaired Newitt, aided by her sighted guide Rebecca Janaway, also had to grit her teeth through a painful foot injury to become the first blind runner to complete the Dubai Marathon. And all for an honourable cause.

Newitt's plan was to raise money for Foresight, a charitable institution of which she is chairwoman. Attempting to put her feelings into words, she said: “[I feel] fantastic.

I never thought it would feel as good as it does. I really enjoyed the run especially as we got to the end. “I'm just so pleased with the attention we got towards our cause, that's always the main goal. That we did a good time and finished the race is secondary to the fact that people have raised money for our cause.''

Newitt had put in four months of preparation including five days a week of training sessions to succeed in her quest. “It is very hard and very demanding.

It's also time consuming but the end goal is always good,'' she said.

So focused was she on her goal that the thought of giving up never crossed her mind.

And it's fair to say that after Haile Gebrselassie, she was among the most supported runners. “The atmosphere was really great. I had some brilliant support along the way.

There would be people shouting, ‘Come on, you're doing great, keep going!' which just gives you more energy in your legs.'' Janaway saluted Newitt's efforts saying: “She helps me as much as I help her. It's a great feeling running with her and we will certainly look to do more [marathons]. If running a marathon for Foresight helps raise awareness then every stride helps.''