In the Beijing Olympic Forest Park, the blind runners run against the rising sun.

In Beijing Olympic Forest Park, the blind runners run against the rising sun. Photographed by Zhou Jingyuan on People's Daily Online

He Yajun, the initiator, is a blind runner and a masseur. In the past ten years, he has participated in the full marathon and half marathon for more than 70 times.

"I'm just a bright eyed man walking at night." In 2002, He Yajun left his hometown in Sichuan to study massage in Beijing, and the next year he stayed in Beijing as a masseur. After working indoors for a long time, He Yajun once weighed 190 kg.

One day in 2014, He Yajun was moved when he heard the massage guests say that blind people can also run. He plucked up his courage and took the first step. He said frankly that at that time, he was very afraid and did not know where he would go next and whether he would stumble.

Hearing the guest describe the scenery on both sides and how tall the trees are, He Yajun said excitedly, "I want to know what it feels like when the wind is passing through my ears."

Blind runners must have volunteers to complete their runs. We swing our arms together, walk our legs together, and rely on a traction rope. Since we met in 2016, Li Yubao has accompanied He Yajun to complete routine runs and many marathons.

Blind people and volunteers prepare for running. Photographed by Zhou Jingyuan on People's Daily Online

"Leader He trusted me enough to follow me." Li Yubao, as a blind assistant, positioned himself as the "eye" of the blind.

Li Yubao and He Yajun adjusted after running. Photographed by Zhou Jingyuan on People's Daily Online

From the initial taste to today's love, He Yajun's running road is getting farther and farther; From a person with a lot of negative energy to a confident and optimistic person in the eyes of others, He Yajun completed his self transformation by running.

In order to let more visually impaired people feel the joy of running, He Yajun set up a blind group in May 2015, bringing together volunteers from all walks of life. Today, the group has more than 600 blind friends and more than 2300 registered volunteers, who are searching for the light of life together in the dark.

A group photo of some members of He Yajun's group. Photographed by Zhou Jingyuan on People's Daily Online

"Discover light, chase light and become light." This is the slogan of He Yajun helping the blind group. For He Yajun, although his eyes had no sense of light, darkness could not prevent him from running freely.

He Yajun said that although I didn't see the sunshine, I was full of sunshine in my heart and was willing to pass it on to more people who needed it.

"Run with me and enjoy happiness!" He Yajun said.

Interview: Li Jianyue, Zhou Jingyuan

Photographers: Zhang Ruohan, Huangfu Wanli, Wang Cong

Editor: Wang Yan

Design: Enron

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