<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><span></span></div><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">Courtesy of <i>The Hill </i>at:<div><br></div><div><a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/434456-first-blind-runner-guide-dogs-run-in-nyc-half-marathon">https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/434456-first-blind-runner-guide-dogs-run-in-nyc-half-marathon</a></div><div><br></div><div>——————————————-</div><div><br></div><div><h1 class="title" id="page-title" style="font-size: 54px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Graphik Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; color: rgb(44, 44, 44); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">First blind runner, guide dogs run in NYC Half Marathon</h1></div><div><br></div><div><div>A blind runner and three of his running guide dogs made history on Sunday when they completed the New York City Half Marathon.</div><div><br></div><div>Thomas Panek became the first blind runner to complete the marathon with guide dogs, finishing the 13.1 mile race in just under two-and-a-half hours, according to <a href="https://results.nyrr.org/runner/12620/result/H2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none; font-family: "Graphik Web", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(43, 44, 48); text-decoration: none; display: inline; position: relative; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(42, 83, 193); caret-color: rgb(43, 44, 48); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">New York Road Runners</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>CNN reported that Panek raced alongside his running guide dogs: Westley, Waffle and Gus. The three labradors were the first dogs to run and complete the race.</div><div><br></div><div>Panek lost his eyesight in his early 20s, CNN reported, but has still completed 20 marathons with the assistance of human guides.</div><div><br></div><div>He started a program at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit that trains guide dogs for the blind, which focused on preparing the animals to guide while running.</div><div><br></div><div>Since Panek launched the program in 2015, 24 dogs have completed the training and 12 are halfway through the process, CNN reported.</div></div><div><br></div><div>———————-</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Photo . . . </div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.tomandrodna.com/MoscowCares/Photos/The_Hill_031819.jpg">http://www.tomandrodna.com/MoscowCares/Photos/The_Hill_031819.jpg</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>——————————————-<br><br><div id="AppleMailSignature" dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></body></html>