Guide Running: A Primer for Educators and Coaches

Guide runners provide vital information for runners with visual impairments. When choosing a guide runner, athletes and coaches must consider motor competence, physical safety, and emotional safety. In general, children are not considered competent runners until 6 to 10 years of age, which could impact a child’s success as a guide runner (Bolger et al., 2021). With respect to the physical and emotional safety that a guide can provide, the quality of assistance, presentation of appropriate feedback, support of autonomy, and support of socialization are all important components to the success of a guide team (Saulynas et al., 2022).