Blind runner helped to the Manchester Marathon finish line by complete stranger

A blind runner has spoken out to thank the stranger who helped him cross the finish line at the Manchester Marathon last weekend.

Haseeb Ahmad, from Leicester, was eighteen miles into the marathon on Sunday when his guide runner had to drop out after developing blisters and leg cramps.

Determined to continue and finish the event, however, Haseeb decided to seek the help of a nearby runner to help guide him to the finish line.

The runner, who holds an Ironman triathlon world record, told the BBC: “I walked back on to the course and I thought, ‘you know what? The next person who comes along, I’m going to just ask’.”

Haseeb Ahmad / Facebook

And the next runner was Stuart Whitehouse, an electrician from Leeds who gladly took over and ran with Habeeb for the remainder of the marathon.

Habeeb recalled Stuart’s accent, saying: “He says in his lovely Leeds accent, ‘go on lads carry on, keep going’, and I went ‘well my guide can’t keep going, so how about taking me to the end of the race?’

“The man did not even hesitate but said ‘I don’t know how long I can carry on for either.'”

Stuart has since admitted that he was ‘really struggling’ at that stage of the marathon, and that Habeeb was the one to help him cross the finish line. He said: “I was really struggling and I just said, ‘I’d be glad to help out, you’d be helping me’.

Stuart Whitehouse / Facebook

“It was weird, I found an inner strength. I picked up the pace and we were encouraging each other, talking all the way.”

The two men have stayed in touch since the marathon via social media, with Stuart insisting their run has ‘changed his life’, adding that he has ‘made such a great friend’. 

Habeeb said: “It makes you feel humble and grateful. He’s a great guy. I think we will be lifelong friends.”