Blind marathon runner 'found strength' through disability

Yahya's achievement is currently being verified by the Guinness World Records

A blind runner believed to be the first to complete a marathon without being tethered to a guide, has said he found "strength" through his disability.

Yahya Pandor, who is from Gloucester and now lives in Swindon, lost his sight during the pandemic after being diagnosed with macular degeneration.

At the weekend, the 29-year-old finished the Manchester marathon in four hours and 22 minutes using only his guide's voice to direct him.

Mr Pandor said he is determined to not let his condition hold him back despite the world being "designed for sighted people".

'Challenge after challenge'

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the central part of a person's vision. It is most common in people in their 50s and 60s.

Following the deterioration of his eyesight, Mr Pandor only has light perception - the ability to tell the difference between light and dark surroundings.

"It was a gradual process over about six months," he said.

"[It was] devastating when I heard the news but I had to make a decision to either get on with life or not, and so I thought I'm not going to let it hold me back."

He told BBC 5 Live that since his diagnosis he has taken on "challenge after challenge" to prove that sight loss "doesn't limit you".

"The whole world is designed for sighted people," he said.

"Having grown up with sight and then losing it - it's been such a massive shock.

"Some days are really difficult but it has given me a strength that maybe I would never have discovered if I hadn't lost my sight."

Whilst running the marathon, Mr Pandor had to follow the instructions of his guide, George Giles

Mr Pandor, who has been running for less than a year, managed to finish his first marathon eight minutes faster than his target.

As well as participating in rigorous training, he has also had to learn to trust his guides.

"My guide would tell me if there was uneven footing, if people were to my left, or if I needed to be closer to his voice," he said.

"He even described the buildings and the people that I was running past so that I could feel a part of it."

His achievement is currently being verified by Guinness World Record.

In 2022, he launched a TikTok account with his brother dedicated to supporting those with blindness.