For many, the idea of running a 10k race is daunting enough, but James Fernandez, 53, accomplished it without something most take for granted — his sight.

Fernandez said he became blind after not receiving the necessary medications for his glaucoma four years ago. Since then, he has worked to return to a normal life, with the help of Caitlyn Blodget, a blindness rehab trainer.

When he lost his sight, he wanted two things, a place to live and to run a race, Blodget said. He has now accomplished both.

“I want to show the kids to have strength, and to walk by faith not by sight. I am a living witness that you just have to be strong and have faith,” Fernandez said.

Prior to losing his sight, Fernandez was a skilled boxer, he said, and it was important to him to be able to continue as an athlete.

Fernandez and Blodget ran the race together, connected by a small tether. Blodget said she was able to keep enough distance between them so Fernandez could run independently while still guiding him along the way.

“This is a big deal. He had to learn to be able to independently move, which is hard in itself. And then, to work out when you’re blind is also very difficult, because you cannot run alone. So he really had a lot working against him,” Blodget said.

But despite his obstacles, Fernandez found a gym, trained on a treadmill and completed the 6.2 mile race in about an hour and 20 minutes, she said.

“He’s very strong and healthy, and I really admire him,” Blodget said.

During the race, Fernandez did more than run. In order to communicate with and find his friends, he whistles, so they nicknamed him Birdman. Throughout the race, he would send out a whistle, and if his friends heard they would return
the call.

“He’s so animated, and he kept calling out to people and dancing and doing his whistle, so it made it really fun,” Blodget said.

Lainie Breaux, a friend of Blodget’s, also ran with her and Fernandez.

She said she is not an experienced runner, and Fernandez’s energy helped fuel her to the end.

“I was very intimidated today by the last two miles, and just imagine running this whole race without being able to see. But he was just so excited to be there,” Breaux said.

Terri Joseph, 57, a close friend of Fernandez, said she couldn’t be more proud.

“I think it’s awesome. He has done more in two years than I’ve done in my lifetime, with eyes,” Joseph said.

Fernandez’s 53rd birthday was on March 27 and he said he has a lot to celebrate.

“God is great, God is good and I finished and I feel great,” Fernandez said.