Who We Are

Our History

United In Stride was founded in 2015 by Richard Hunter in partnership with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI). Prior to United In Stride, there was no single resource dedicated to matching visually impaired walkers and runners with guides. Inspired by the work of MABVI’s Team With A Vision at the Boston Marathon, it has expanded to include walkers and runners of all levels.

We created this resource to ease the challenge of finding a guide, whether you are close to home, or traveling to another part of the country. Our robust, interactive guide database creates more opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals to exercise outside of their homes.

Join us in sharing your passion for fitness with others by signing up for your account today. Together, we can make sure that blind and visually impaired walkers and runners have access to a guide when needed and show that “disability” does not mean “inability”!

United In Stride founder Richard Hunter holding up a new United In Stride banner.

“United In Stride was founded with the passionate belief that there were people with vision loss in every single community across the country who would be interested in walking, jogging, and running if they knew it was possible for them and had guides to assist them.”

Richard Hunter, Founder

Our Community

United In Stride serves not only as a platform for connecting visually impaired walkers, joggers, and runners of all levels with guides, it is a way to build friendships, bonds, and community. Check out what we’re up to through our Instagram feed!

You can also find us on Facebook and YouTube!

Huge thank you to everyone who came out to the various events that United in Stride was at last week! Our members and ambassadors were present at multiple events across the country, and we had an awesome time getting out there, making connections with the community, and being active! This picture is from one of the events in California, where we had 14 blind and low vision athletes, 14 guides, and some additional blind/low vision athletes who we met at the event!

[Image description: Group of runners wearing medals smiling after completing a race, gathered together for a photo on a sunny day.]

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Huge thank you to everyone who came out to the various events that United in Stride was at last week! Our members and ambassadors were present at multiple events across the country, and we had an awesome time getting out there, making connections with the community, and being active! This picture is from one of the events in California, where we had 14 blind and low vision athletes, 14 guides, and some additional blind/low vision athletes who we met at the event! [Image description: Group of runners wearing medals smiling after completing a race, gathered together for a photo on a sunny day.]

Shoutout to our amazing Los Angeles ambassador, Sonya Chapnick, who just completed her first-ever marathon at the Los Angeles Marathon!

With the support of incredible guides Aimee Specter (start to halfway) and Rachel Weinberger (halfway to finish), Sonya’s journey was full of heart, strength, and teamwork.

Check out this awesome video compilation by Rachel capturing the spirit of the day!

In Sonya`s words: "We were truly United in Stride!"

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Shoutout to our amazing Los Angeles ambassador, Sonya Chapnick, who just completed her first-ever marathon at the Los Angeles Marathon! With the support of incredible guides Aimee Specter (start to halfway) and Rachel Weinberger (halfway to finish), Sonya’s journey was full of heart, strength, and teamwork. Check out this awesome video compilation by Rachel capturing the spirit of the day! In Sonya's words: "We were truly United in Stride!"

Did you know that United in Stride offers new activities beyond running and walking? Thanks to our brand-new expansion, our website now offers opportunities to connect for hiking, tandem cycling, and triathlon!

Log in now to update your profile with these new activity preferences and make some new connections! www.unitedinstride.com

[Image description: Promotional image for United in Stride featuring three sections: top shows two people hiking in the mountains, middle displays two people tandem cycling on a scenic road, and bottom captures a group participating in a triathlon event.]

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Did you know that United in Stride offers new activities beyond running and walking? Thanks to our brand-new expansion, our website now offers opportunities to connect for hiking, tandem cycling, and triathlon! Log in now to update your profile with these new activity preferences and make some new connections! www.unitedinstride.com [Image description: Promotional image for United in Stride featuring three sections: top shows two people hiking in the mountains, middle displays two people tandem cycling on a scenic road, and bottom captures a group participating in a triathlon event.]

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsoring partner, Choosing To See, for funding our latest expansion! Thanks to their generous support, United in Stride now seamlessly connects blind and low-vision hikers, tandem cyclists, and triathletes with sighted guides—just as we do for runners and walkers. Their commitment empowers our community, expanding access to more activities than ever before. Thank you, Choosing To See, for making this possible!

Learn more about Choosing to See at their website, linked in our bio!

[Image description: Thank you poster featuring an image of two individuals biking, with logos and a website link for Choosing to See.]

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We are incredibly grateful to our sponsoring partner, Choosing To See, for funding our latest expansion! Thanks to their generous support, United in Stride now seamlessly connects blind and low-vision hikers, tandem cyclists, and triathletes with sighted guides—just as we do for runners and walkers. Their commitment empowers our community, expanding access to more activities than ever before. Thank you, Choosing To See, for making this possible! Learn more about Choosing to See at their website, linked in our bio! [Image description: Thank you poster featuring an image of two individuals biking, with logos and a website link for Choosing to See.]

We’re thrilled to share a long-awaited update to our website—one that many of you have requested!

While running and walking have always been at the heart of MABVI`s United in Stride program, we know that many of you are eager to connect for more activities. That’s why we’ve expanded our search feature to include three new activities:
✅ Hiking
✅ Tandem Cycling
✅ Triathlon

Now, you can easily find and connect with community members who share your passion for these activities!

🔎 How to Update Your Profile & Get Started:

1️⃣ Log in to your United in Stride account.
2️⃣ Click "My Account" (top right corner).
3️⃣ Select "My Profile" from the drop-down menu.
4️⃣ Under "Athlete Info," check which fields need updating.
5️⃣ Click "Edit" under the "Profile" tab.
6️⃣ Complete or update your profile—including:
Your location (if you`ve moved)
Your experience running with or as a guide
Your availability for Hiking, Tandem Cycling, or Triathlon
Tandem Cyclists: Indicate if you have access to a tandem bike
7️⃣ Scroll down and click "Save Changes" before exiting—changes won’t save automatically!
8️⃣ Run a search to find others in your area who are ready to connect for a hike, ride, or training session!
📩 Questions? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help!

We’re excited to see this new update bring even more connections and opportunities to our amazing community. Happy training!

Click the link in our bio to log into your profile now!

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We’re thrilled to share a long-awaited update to our website—one that many of you have requested! While running and walking have always been at the heart of MABVI's United in Stride program, we know that many of you are eager to connect for more activities. That’s why we’ve expanded our search feature to include three new activities: ✅ Hiking ✅ Tandem Cycling ✅ Triathlon Now, you can easily find and connect with community members who share your passion for these activities! 🔎 How to Update Your Profile & Get Started: 1️⃣ Log in to your United in Stride account. 2️⃣ Click "My Account" (top right corner). 3️⃣ Select "My Profile" from the drop-down menu. 4️⃣ Under "Athlete Info," check which fields need updating. 5️⃣ Click "Edit" under the "Profile" tab. 6️⃣ Complete or update your profile—including: Your location (if you've moved) Your experience running with or as a guide Your availability for Hiking, Tandem Cycling, or Triathlon Tandem Cyclists: Indicate if you have access to a tandem bike 7️⃣ Scroll down and click "Save Changes" before exiting—changes won’t save automatically! 8️⃣ Run a search to find others in your area who are ready to connect for a hike, ride, or training session! 📩 Questions? Email us at info@unitedinstride.com, and we’ll be happy to help! We’re excited to see this new update bring even more connections and opportunities to our amazing community. Happy training! Click the link in our bio to log into your profile now!

Featured Member Friday! Meet Scott Hudson, pictured here with two of his guides, including United in Stride Ambassador Cheyenne Meyer. Scott has used United in Stride to continue living a healthy life at his own speed.

Read more on our blog, link in bio!

[Image description: Three people smiling outdoors, the person in the center wears a headband and a shirt labeled "BLIND," while the person on the right wears a shirt labeled "GUIDE." They are surrounded by trees under a clear sky.]

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Featured Member Friday! Meet Scott Hudson, pictured here with two of his guides, including United in Stride Ambassador Cheyenne Meyer. Scott has used United in Stride to continue living a healthy life at his own speed. Read more on our blog, link in bio! [Image description: Three people smiling outdoors, the person in the center wears a headband and a shirt labeled "BLIND," while the person on the right wears a shirt labeled "GUIDE." They are surrounded by trees under a clear sky.]

MABVI and our United in Stride program will be hosting virtual booths this Friday from 10am – 4pm at the Blind Health Expo hosted by @accessiblepharmacy. This event is free for all attendees.

Register at the link in our bio!

[Image Description: Advertisement for Accessible Pharmacy`s booth at the 3rd annual virtual Blind Health Expo, happening from 10 AM to 4 PM ET. Features a registration link and a graphic of a sun.]

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MABVI and our United in Stride program will be hosting virtual booths this Friday from 10am - 4pm at the Blind Health Expo hosted by @accessiblepharmacy. This event is free for all attendees. Register at the link in our bio! [Image Description: Advertisement for Accessible Pharmacy's booth at the 3rd annual virtual Blind Health Expo, happening from 10 AM to 4 PM ET. Features a registration link and a graphic of a sun.]

Testimonials

Finding the right partner can be challenging, and incredibly rewarding for visually impaired individuals and guides alike. Check out what some of our members have to say about their experiences!

“Guide runners are my eyes. I trust them, as they tell me everything I need to know along our path. I am a visually impaired runner, and a happy runner.”
Jessica L.
Blind/VI
Denver, CO
“Being able to participate as a guide absolutely reinvigorated my passion to run. I am now able to enjoy the sport I love more than ever, while making it possible for a visually impaired athlete to do the same. WIN-WIN.”
Sydney F.
Guide
Franklin, MI
“Guiding has brought me such pleasure in a sport I have come to love over the past four years. I want to help anyone I can to accomplish their goals, from sprints to half’s and any training in between. Let’s have some fun!”
Ed C.
Guide
Rumford, RI
“Though most guides humbly disagree, I consider guiding to be a purely selfless act. I mean, they give up their own race – while still taking on all of the same effort – simply to allow me to race. Just incredible people.”
Erich M.
Blind/VI
Littleton, MA
“Guiding a blind athlete opened my eyes to a whole new dimension in the sport of triathlon. I was apprehensive about it at first but learning to work together and be that much more attentive on the course has helped me view racing in a while new light.”
Matt S.
Guide
“Since going blind, I’ve looked for a way to push myself physically while staying safe. About a half-mile into my first run with a guide I knew I’d found it! More importantly, I’ve found a greater confidence in and respect for myself.”
Kate K.
Blind/VI
Watertown, MA
“Without a guide, I could only run slowly and cautiously. I could not keep up with other runners. With a guide, I can run a faster pace. I can join group runs and run competitively in races. I can challenge my athletic ability. This opens up a new world of possibilities!”
Joyce C.
Blind/VI
Acton, MA
“The idea that I could help someone while doing something that’s also good for myself physically and mentally seemed like a no brainer. Heck why aren’t more people doing it!?”
Andrea C.
Guide
Maynard, MA
“Guiding takes the “self” out of racing and makes it the ultimate team effort. None of the races I have completed as an individual compare to the feeling I get when I cross the finish line with a visually impaired athlete. There’s nothing better than knowing that you helped another person accomplish their goal.”
Caroline G.
Guide
Austin, TX
“Running guides have made a huge impact in my life. Not only do they generously donate their time and effort to assist me at any event, but they also pace me and motivate me to compete at a high level.”
Adrian B
Blind/VI
Los Angeles, CA
“The impact and difference guides have made in my life allow me to enjoy the freedom to train and run outdoors, participate in events, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. From each experience, a unique friendship forms, reminding me that the possibilities ahead are endless, as long as I take that first step forward!”
Dave B
Blind/VI
Tallahassee, FL
“I thought that guiding a visually impaired runner would be a unique opportunity to share the ultimate expression of independence that has been so meaningful to me. I was paired with an incredible athlete who inspired me not only with his athletic performance, but his passion and joy for the sport. Best of all, we’ve developed a strong bond and long-lasting friendship.”
Chad C.
Guide
“Guides have given me the opportunity fulfil my passion of running, for without their kindness there would be no running. They have also provided me with encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to push myself beyond what I thought I could do.”
Richard M.
Blind/VI
Ottawa, Canada
“I love to run, and my guides make it possible.”
Dan B.
Blind/VI
Fort Collins, CO
“Without my many guides, running would be a solitary slog on a treadmill. With them, my running is a chance to make new friends, to race, and to be a part of a great community. In short, because of my guides, running brings joy and freedom.”
Tina A.
Blind/VI
Alexandria, VA
“As a guide, you are able to give back to the sport(s) by giving those with vision loss a chance to do what brings us so much joy, and that we sometimes take for granted. I will do whatever I can to make sure that I participate year in and year out as a guide for visually impaired runners!”
Chris S.
Guide
Folsom, CA
“Guiding a visually impaired runner has put new meaning into running. Sharing the Boston Marathon with a visually impaired runner is one of the highlights of my running career. It wasn’t about what I could do for her, but what she did for me. I’ll never forget it.”
Tracy W.
Guide
Meridian, ID
“Without a guide, every pothole, crack, curb, or branch could end my run. Every slight direction choice, adjustment, and verbal warning are the essential gifts which give me freedom to run. The only greater gift is the kindness and choice of my wonderful guides to make this possible each and every time we become a team.”
Randy P.
Blind/VI
Nashua, NH
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