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An islander whose sight rapidly deteriorated within just two weeks is ready to take on his first half-marathon in London this weekend — after already smashing his £1,000 fundraising target for guide dogs.
Shadat Khan will be tackling the London Landmarks Half Marathon this Sunday alongside guide runner Terri O'Donoghue.
They have been fundraising in aid of Guide Dogs UK whilst Sha waits for his own guide dog, and have already surpassed their initial fundraising target of £1,000.
Over a period of two weeks in August 2021, Sha's sight deteriorated to a point where he cannot recognise shapes and people. As a result, he became unable to do many of the things he previously could.
Describing how his mental health "took a huge hit", Sha said that he was encouraged by another visually-impaired runner to take up the sport in August 2022.
He began running with guide runners at the weekly Parkrun event and his confidence grew.
Pictured: Sha began running a 5k each Saturday with guide runner Terri at Jersey's Parkrun event.
Sha explained: "Losing my sight made me have to rely on people around me and once I opened up to the reality, I felt the presence of the most amazing people I could ever meet: volunteers who give their time selflessly and encourage and challenge me.
“While the eye may not see, the heart feels."
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Although Sha initially began running simply as a way to improve his mental health, he is now keen to take on his first half marathon after three months of training.
Sha said: "Running with Terri and focusing on the London Landmarks Half Marathon has given me a new passion for life after losing my sight.
“The whole community has been so supportive and I’m grateful to the Rock n Road Runners, all of the Jersey guide runners and even the people in the street who shout encouragement as it has all helped me through some tough times.
“Of course I'm very excited to take on this challenge and raise funds for a cause that's close to my heart. I am currently in the process of applying to receive a guide dog of my own so the generous donations all have a direct impact.”
Pictured: The pair meet every Sunday morning to run together.
Terri added: "I'm proud to be running alongside Sha and supporting him in this journey. Guide Dogs UK is an incredible organisation that helps people with visual impairments lead independent lives.
“I hope our efforts will help raise awareness and funds for their important work and soon Sha will have a guide dog of his own."
The duo will be jetting off to London on Saturday morning in time for the half marathon on Sunday, and Terri will be facing her own fear of flying on the way to the start line.
Sha joked that the tether that is usually used by Terri to guide him whilst running will instead be used to stop Terri running away from the plane and “make her feel safe” whilst flying.
Terri said: “If Sha can keep being positive as he pushes through physical and mental barriers then I can certainly do the same!”
Pictured: The half marathon route take runners through central London and past many of the iconic sights of the capital.
The pair explained that their training — which began in January — had gone well so far.
“We completed all the runs that we were supposed to, and we’ve had no injuries so far!” said Terri.
They are aiming to complete the half marathon in around 2 hours and 15 minutes, but admitted that a lot depends on how it goes on the day.
Sha said: “My biggest worry is that there’s going to be a lot of people who won’t be aware that I am visually-impaired and it therefore won’t be safe for me.”
“At least we’ll all be running in the same direction,” Terri joked. “Sha doesn’t see this but when we are training on the avenue, people will just be walking towards us looking down at their phones and don’t move out of the way!”
Despite the possible challenges, Sha and Terri and both looking forward to race day.
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Sha recently helped out at the Hospice to Hospice half marathon by handing out water bottles, which he said made him even more excited for his own run this weekend.
“It was so motivating,” said Sha. “I was so reassured to see people of all abilities participating. It really reminded me that running is for everyone.
“You don’t have to be a super athlete to enjoy running, you just have to have the right mindset.”
After he completes the half marathon this weekend, Sha does not want to rest and has a “summer of running” planned this year.
He is aiming to complete another half marathon in June and then the full Jersey marathon in October.
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