A blind runner and Braille artist is set to attempt a world first at the Brighton Marathon this month, using assistive technology to connect with hundreds of remote volunteers as he completes the 26.2-mile course.
Clarke Reynolds, known professionally as Mr Dot, will take on the Brighton Marathon on 12 April, supported in real time by volunteers using Be My Eyes and Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer smart glasses.
45-year-old Reynolds, who has around 5% vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, describes his sight as “like looking underwater.”
Through the technology, volunteers will be able to see his route from his perspective via the glasses and offer encouragement and practical support throughout the race.
The challenge will make use of Be My Eyes’ new ‘Groups’ feature, allowing Reynolds to connect with a pre-selected team of trained and trusted volunteers. While the app typically links users with a global network on demand, this feature enables a more consistent support system – an important function for an endurance event such as the marathon.
Reynolds, an experienced runner who has previously completed the London Marathon with a guide, will also be shadowed by a trained guide runner through the Richard Whitehead Foundation’s Supported Runner Project as a safety precaution.
In the lead-up to the marathon, Reynolds has trained extensively using the Be My Eyes app, connecting with 85 volunteers to date. He estimates that as many as 300 individuals worldwide could support him by the time he crosses the finish line.
Through the challenge, Reynolds also aims to raise funds and awareness for Fight for Sight, a charity that supports research into eye conditions and delivers services for people with vision loss.
Reynolds, who became an ambassador for the charity in 2024, hopes the challenge will also shift perceptions around visual impairment. “This isn’t just about running a marathon,” he said. “It’s about challenging society’s ideas about what blind people can do.”
Eleanor Southwood MBE, director of impact and external affairs at Fight for Sight, added that the initiative highlights both innovation and inclusion, while raising vital funds for research and support.