Vision impaired Emily Cruden and guide up for Blackmores 10km Bridge Run
Vision-impaired runner Emily Cruden isn’t quiet sure why she decided to do the Blackmores 10km Bridge Run this month. But she can’t wait.
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When Emily Cruden plays her usual sport the crowd is completely silent.
For her next sporting endeavour she will be surrounded by noise and around 38,000 people.
Cruden, who has represented NSW in goalball four times, is prepping to compete in the Bridge Run at the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival later this month.
And she has no idea why.
Cruden, who has a rare genetic disorder causing her to go slowly blind, has never before raced a 10km.
The 19-year-old will run tethered to her old Learning Support Teacher at St Leo’s College in Wahroonga, Michelle Teys, and said she can’t wait for the September 15 race.
“I have only been training for the last six months and I love it,’’ said Berowra student Cruden, who is studying Business Administration at TAFE.
“I have no idea why I started doing it. I’ve been playing goalball which is a Paralympic sport.
“But my running partner Michelle, who is my ex high school teacher, ran it last year and saw people tethered.
“That gave her the idea of seeing if I wanted to do it so I entered the event and here I am.’’
Cruden said the sensation of running tethered took some getting used to.
“It was weird at first, running like this. You have to have complete trust,’’ she said.
“Now I’m really enjoying it.
“I think it will be a new experience. It will be challenging. I’m actually looking forward to it.’’
Cruden is doing the 10km to help fundraise for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT who have provided her with Orientation and Mobility services since she was young.
“I’m fundraising for Guide Dogs as a way of saying thank you for all the help and support they’ve given me over the years,” Emily said.
Her fundraising link is https://bsrf.grassrootz.com/guidedogs/emily-cruden
The Sydney Running Festival incorporates the Sydney Marathon, Half Marathon, Bridge Run (10km) and Family Fun Run (3.5km).
The marathon, half marathon and 10km Bridge Run will finish at the Sydney Opera House while the Family Fun Run (3.5km) finishes at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.