When it comes to fostering inclusion in athletics, Blind Fitness doesn’t just talk the talk — they’ve got it down to a science.
This Sunday, November 9, the nonprofit will field 18 blind and low-vision athletes alongside roughly 40 total team members for the Santa Barbara Half-Marathon and 5K, in what marks their third year collaborating with Wayfinder Family Services and United in Stride. It’s a carefully orchestrated process of ability and alliance that enables low-vision and blind athletes to participate in physical activities.
“We’re excited to see the community come together again to celebrate the power of connection through movement,” said Tania Isaac-Dutton, Blind Fitness’s executive director. “Events like this remind us that inclusion isn’t just about access — it’s about belonging, visibility, and joy.”
The magic, though, happens in the matchmaking. Lead registration coordinator Brian Walters — a certified, experienced runner who’s logged many hours working with blind and low-vision individuals — orchestrates the pairings. Pace comes first. Then experience level. The goal? Rhythm — a balance where neither party feels like they’re carrying the entire weight of the partnership…