Legally blind western Montana runner Rhonda Copeland, know as Vision Runner, has had to discontinue many of her favorite activities over the past twelve years, but the one thing she didn’t want to give up is her passion for running. So she chose not to. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative genetic eye disease twelve years ago, Rhonda has slowly been losing her vision over the ensuing years. She has adapted, and still runs independently, without the aid of human or animal assistance.
Competing in the inaugural Missoula Marathon in 2007, and in the half marathon in 2008, Rhonda refuses to let her deteriorating vision hold her back. With her condition progressing, this year will be the first year that Rhonda requires the use of her white cane to guide her.
What is more amazing is that this event is only a small run on the way to an even bigger challenge – Rhonda is 562 miles into a 1,222 mile virtual run from her home town in Missoula, Montanta to Burbank, California to the Ellen Degeneres Show. Dubbed the Run Over To Ellen’s (www.RunOverToEllens.com)
Why a virtual run? Doing an actual run on the roads and highways from Montana to California is not feasible for her as a blind runner right now, for both logistic and safety reasons. Why is she running to Ellen’s? “I want to be on Ellen. I want to share my story and be an inspiration”
When talking about her website www.RunOvertToEllens.com she states, “I’ve created a website hoping to inspire myself and other people to break through whatever barriers are in the way”.
Follow Vision Runner’s progress at www.RunOverToEllens.com Donate at www.firstgiving.com/
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For more information or to arrange an interview with Rhonda please contact:
Runner Insight, LLC
Theresa Whiteside
406 370 8956
admin@RunnerInsight.com
