In a wonderful celebration of determination and technology, Clarke Reynolds participated in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, joining over 14,000 enthusiastic runners. More than just completing the challenging 26.2-mile course, Clarke made history by becoming the first blind individual to run a full marathon with the innovative assistance of volunteers guiding him through smart glasses.

Clarke, a resident of Portsmouth, wore specially designed Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer smart glasses equipped with a camera that connects to the Be My Eyes app. This remarkable AI tool allows volunteers from around the globe to see through his eyes via a smart device or laptop. As a talented braille artist and children’s author known as Mr. Dot, he completed the marathon in an inspiring time of just under 6 hours and 20 minutes.

After crossing the finish line, a jubilant Clarke exclaimed, “I’m absolutely over the moon — we did it.” He shared that his mission was to push the limits of what technology can offer to individuals with visual impairments. In addition to his personal achievement, Clarke raised over $3,500 for Fight for Sight, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding vital research on vision loss in the U.K.

Clarke has been living with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that has left him with only 5% of his vision, which he describes as “like looking underwater.” A seasoned runner, he had previously completed the London Marathon with the help of a guide. This time, he was supported by a selection of virtual volunteers and Alaistair Ratcliffe, a trained guide runner who was there to assist him when needed.

The Be My Eyes app connects blind and low-vision users with volunteers worldwide. Before the marathon, Clarke ensured that his volunteers were well-prepared and briefed, so he could rely on familiar faces for support throughout his training and the event itself. They guided him every step of the way, demonstrating a beautiful sense of community.

Clarke expressed his gratitude, saying, “I love the idea that up to 300 people from all over the world — from Croydon to Kansas and Belfast to Bahrain — helped me to achieve it.” He emphasized the incredible potential of this technology for people with sight loss, highlighting the new opportunities it creates and the growing number of users who benefit from it daily.

Although the technology was not flawless — with occasional connectivity issues due to the event's size — Alaistair Ratcliffe stepped in to provide guidance during those brief moments. As Clarke crossed the finish line, volunteer Julie Sutton from Be My Eyes was there to present him with his medal, which he graciously dedicated to Ratcliffe.

Clarke extended his heartfelt thanks to Alaistair and all the wonderful volunteers who supported him throughout this journey, stating, “They’ve really kept me going on this incredible journey. It’s been one of the best experiences of my life!”

While Clarke’s achievement is a remarkable personal milestone, he hopes it will also have a broader impact. “By running a marathon and using the tech in a way that hasn’t been done before, I’ve raised awareness and sparked so many conversations, which I hope will help to challenge society’s ideas about what blind people can do,” he shared.

Eleanor Southwood, Fight for Sight’s director of impact and external affairs, expressed pride in Clarke’s extraordinary accomplishment, stating, “We are so grateful to him for his support and to everyone who has so generously sponsored him.”

Though the marathon has come to an end, Clarke’s fundraising efforts continue. Those inspired by his journey can still contribute by visiting the fundraising page.