Visually impaired runner Gulab Bhandari revealed that dogged determination is the overriding factor when it comes to completing half marathon despite the obvious challenges people with disability confront.

A regular at Airtel Delhi Half Marathon since 2010, the 48-year-old visually impaired half marathoner said he has found out ways to overcome dependency while practising for the race, mainly because of his resoluteness.

"I practice in my balcony for 30 minutes daily as no one can hold my hand as a guide daily and make me run. It's only for the past one month that I have been running alongside a partner. Ultimately, determination gets you going," he said.

Gulab added it's not really hard to lure a guide who can run 21 kilometers along with him when it finally matters. "My guide majorly has been my niece who is just 25. So he catches up with my pace quite easily. Plus, even when he is not around for company, sympathetic co-runners lend me a hand. All I have to do is follow the sound of their shoes and react accordingly," he added.

A sports fanatic right from his childhood, Gulab claims he attempts to inspire his fellow visually impaired community through marathon. His larger message strengthens the belief that given an opportunity, the differently-abled people can prove their worth in any competition. "I just try to motivate my fellow blind friends with efforts and marathon is one among them. A bit of support and few pats at the back, we can accomplish any task. We are certainly no different," Gulab said.

Major DP Singh, is another inspirational figure who has completed Delhi half marathon quite a few times despite being an amputee. Talking about impediments for amputee runners, he says, "The main problem for us is the danger of getting our amputated region damaged. While running we lose weight and even a fraction of volume change and weight loss can lead to friction in prosthesis part. That might lead to bleeding."

Singh, a kargil war survivor, further revealed that in his debut long distance run — ADHM 2011 — his sock was soaked in blood due to incessant bleeding. However, the 48-year-old war veteran, who got amputated during the kargil war in 1999, will not participate in half marathon this time round as he would be mentoring other amputee runners. "I will pass on my knowledge to amputee runners regarding precautions to be taken and contingency plans. I will mentor them so as to keep the damage to the minimum, if there are any," he said.

More importantly, DP Singh is also spearheading 'Swachh Ability Run', a  social initiative across seven cities in seven days carrying two messages. This initiative will take place in Chandigarh, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and NCR to promote 'Swachh Bharat' campaign.

"Amputee runner will pick up any trash on the road while running the 3km race to encourage people join the cleanliness drive," he explained.

The 'Swachh Ability Run' will start from 27th November and will conclude on 3rd December with the celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities. 

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/sports/determination-trumps-disability.html