Blind Runner Clarke Reynolds to Use Smart Glasses

Published: 2 April 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online—Celebrating the intersection of human endurance and technological innovation.

History is set to be made on the streets of the South Coast this month as a blind artist from Portsmouth attempts a world-first: running a full 26.2-mile marathon guided entirely by remote volunteers using smart glasses. Clarke Reynolds, 45, known in the art world as “Mr. Dot” for his intricate Braille-inspired creations, will tackle the Brighton Marathon later this April using Meta AI glasses. The attempt marks a significant shift in how visually impaired athletes navigate the world, moving away from traditional tethered guides toward a future of digital autonomy.

The mission, which Reynolds has spent the last several months training for, utilizes the “Be My Eyes” app integrated directly into his eyewear. The glasses feature a built-in camera that provides a real-time “bird’s-eye view” to volunteers located anywhere in the world. These remote guides—which have already included supporters from Canada, Thailand, and the United States during his training—speak directly into Reynolds’ ears, alerting him to upcoming obstacles like bins, parked cars, or changes in the road surface. Reynolds, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa and describes his vision as “looking underwater,” says the technology has finally allowed him to train on his own terms.

“I’ve run the London Marathon with a physical guide before, and while it was an incredible experience, it’s a logistical nightmare,” Reynolds told reporters this week. “Your training is entirely dependent on someone else’s schedule and stride pattern. With these glasses, I can just step out my front door and have a complete stranger in my ear holes helping me navigate. It’s not just about the run; it’s about the freedom to move when I want to move.“

The challenge is being supported by the charity Fight for Sight, for which Reynolds is an ambassador. The organization is currently lining up a roster of “remote pilots” for the big day, including family members, friends, and potentially a few surprise celebrities to help guide him through the final miles. Reynolds is aiming to cross the finish line in under six hours, but he insists the primary goal is to challenge the stigma surrounding sight loss. “I’m not a superhero,” he added. “I’ve just found a workaround. I want to show that the blind community can thrive in a sighted world if we’re just given the right tools.“

Reynolds’ attempt follows closely on the heels of another landmark achievement in New York, where runner Thomas Panek recently completed the NYC Half Marathon using similar Meta AI glasses. However, Reynolds’ goal of a full marathon using a rotating cast of remote volunteers is believed to be the first of its kind. As the Brighton Marathon approaches, the sporting world will be watching closely to see if this “digital tether” can truly replace the traditional guide runner, potentially opening up the world of long-distance running to thousands of visually impaired athletes worldwide.

Mission Profile: The “Digital Guide” Attempt