The 4th Annual United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) National Marathon Championships sponsored by VSP Vision Care took place on December 2 in Sacramento, CA, at the California International Marathon. Participants representing multiple states, numerous Canadian provinces, New Zealand, and China, as well as military veterans, paralympians, world/national championship holders, and guide runners arrived in California only to be welcomed by a downpour of rain and high wind.

This year USABA had 16 marathoners, 15 relay runners, and 39 guides participating in the race. These numbers far exceeded past years, and in the years to come, USABA and VSP Vision Care only expect growing participation. Richard Hunter, blinded United States Marine Corps veteran, stated, "The USABA Marathon National Championships is the highlight of the year for many athletes. It is great to be able to get to know other runners with vision loss. With the assistance of sighted guides, we are able to inspire, educate, and change the public's perception of those with vision loss."

The USABA National Marathon Championships started in 2007 with a small group of passionate athletes and volunteers who helped create the first USABA Marathon National Championship, and today, this event has become one of the premier distance running destinations for runners who are blind or visually impaired. The course provides runners and their guides a very fast, point-to-point, net-downhill marathon with a spectacular finish in front of the California State Capitol. The California International Marathon is certified and sanctioned by USA Track & Field and is a Boston Marathon qualifier as well as an Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier. When attending the USABA National Marathon Championships, athletes can expect a first class experience and are afforded the opportunity to take part in a pre-race pasta banquet, logistics assistance, pre- and post-race support, and awards. Thanks to the support of VSP Vision Care and private donors such as Dr. Michael Schermer, Every Man Jack, and Folsom Lake Lions Club, USABA is able to provide funding to offset expenses to select North American runners as well as a limited number of international runners.

All the athletes started the marathon with a goal in mind, whether that was to break an existing time, qualify for the Boston Marathon, have the fastest time in their vision category, or just finish the race. Some athletes like Kory Kennedy and Michael Kinoshita (relay team 50/50) did even better than they expected by finishing 3rd of 902 relay teams. Aaron Scheidies came 121st out of 6,515 marathoners, and Richard Marsolais finished with his qualifying time for Boston. Despite the unfavorable conditions, our athletes and guides had fun, made lasting friendships, and most importantly, ran an amazing race.

If you are interested in participating next year, now would be a great time to start training. The 2013 National Marathon Championships will take place December 8, so grab a guide, lace up those running shoes, and join USABA in California!

Participant Finishing Times

Below are the finishing times for each participant based on vision classification and overall performance:

B1: Totally blind

Male

  1. Rob Matthews / guide Matt Bailey (New Zealand) 3:01:18
  2. Leung Sui Wai / guide Hoi To Ho (Hong Kong) 3:29:41

Female

  1. Tina Ament / guides Peter Graf and Philip Deacon 4:07:16
  2. Ivonne Schmidt / guide Matt Brown No time due to injury
B2: Best corrected vision is 20/600 and up

Male

  1. Adrian Broca / guides Eric Clarkson and Kyle Lackner 2:57:37
  2. Matthew Rodjom / guides Ben Willers and Jordan Zander-Souza 3:07:08
  3. Richard Hunter / guides Dan Ross and Nicole Holm 3:17:51
  4. Richard Marsolais / guides George Hajecek (Canada) 4:22:15
  5. David Kuhn / guides Sydney Stutz and Karen Roth 4:59:43

Female

  1. Stephanie Timmer / guides Brian Lane and Ashley Kirk No time due to injury
B3: Best corrected vision is 20/200 to 20/599

Male

  1. Robbie Burt (Canada) / guides David Swift and Michael O'Neil No time due to injury
  2. Aaron Scheidies / guides Ritch Viola and Dan Mitchell 2:53:34
  3. Steven Wood / guide Monte Harvill 3:46:51

Female

  1. Diane Berberian / guide Carolyn Kiper 4:55:58
  2. Rachel Weeks / guides Kelly Griego and Becca Nickens 5:28:34
  3. Cassandra Dozier 5:55:10
Overall Male
  1. Aaron Scheidies / guides Ritch Viola and Dan Mitchell 2:53:34
  2. Adrian Broca / guides Eric Clarkson and Kyle Lackner 2:57:37
  3. Rob Matthews / guide Matt Bailey 3:01:18
Overall Female
  1. Tina Ament / guides Peter Graf and Philip Deacon 4:07:16
  2. Diane Berberian / guide Carolyn Kiper 4:55:58
  3. Rachel Weeks / guides Kelly Griego and Becca Nickens 5:28:34
Relay Teams
  • 50/50, Kory Kennedy (guide - Mustafa Abbas) and Michael Kinoshita (guide - Mac Harvey) 2:36:28; overall rank: 3 of 902
  • Canada, Eh?!, Chris Zonruiter (guide Emilee O'Neil), Rose Kamma Sarkany (guides Chris Morrison and Andy Thielen) and Shelley Ann Morris (guide Colleen Bird) No time due to lost chip
  • CoEd, Mike Davis (guide Scott Rogalski), Jeramy Kalbaugh, Matthew Oliver (guide Keith Jamtaas) and Katie Davis (guide Jessica Hein) No time due to lost chip
  • Mission Vision I, Kenta Otawa (guide Adam Andresen), David Bigoney (guide Dan Tyree), Rocky Camp (guide Elizabeth Stock) and Lonnie Bedwell (guide Jeanette Whiteman) 4:24:29; overall rank: 411 of 902
  • Mission Vision II, Corvin Bazgan (guide Tom Trauger) and Tom Monroe (guide Eric Lindsey) 4:38:38; overall rank: 419 of 902

About USABA

USABA's mission is to enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity. Grant funding for this program is awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, through funding provided sports programming for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.

About VSP Global

VSP Global includes VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 58 million members; Marchon Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers, and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sun wear; Eyefinity, which offers innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and patient experience; VSP Optics Group, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics. To date, through VSP community outreach programs such as VSP Mobile Eyes and Sight for Students, and through relationships including those with the American Red Cross and Prevent Blindness America, VSP has invested more than $150 million in free eye care and eyewear for more than 785,000 adults and children in need throughout the United States.

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Author
Lacey Markel
Article Topic
Access to Fitness