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Blind woman who ran marathon in her 50s wants to inspires others

Helen McCann Helen McCann in her London Marathon running gear wearing sunglassesHelen McCann
Helen McCann ran the London Marathon in 2017

A woman who is registered blind and was diagnosed with hearing loss aged five says she hopes to inspire others after running a marathon in her 50s.

Helen McCann has written a book about the challenges of taking part in the London Marathon in 2017.

It has been so well received, she now plans to write about a second challenge of competing in a triathlon at the age of 60.

"Coming out of my comfort zone helped me enormously," said Ms McCann.

Speaking to BBC Somerset, she said: "When I saw people leaving my book launch with their books, I had a moment's panic of 'what have I done?'

"I had gone from being reluctant to share anything private about myself, to baring my soul."

Ms McCann, from Wookey, raised £7,500 for the charity Guide Dogs, surpassing her target of £2,000.

Helen McCann Helen McCann at the end of the London Marathon wearing her medalHelen McCann
Helen McCann (r) had a guide runner for the London Marathon

Friends suggested she wrote the book, Running Blind, to show how she had overcome disabilities to live a fulfilled and active life.

She says she hopes other people with disabilities will find inspiration in her writing.

"People have often said it's alright for me because I'm confident.

"The reality is, I wasn't always confident.

"Prior to taking on the running challenges, if I was with a group of people I would do everything to blend into the background, hoping that no one would ask me to contribute.

Helen McCann Helen McCann with her guide dog PoppyHelen McCann
Helen raised £7,500 for the charity Guide Dogs by running the marathon

"I was ridiculed throughout my childhood and early adult years for having a hearing loss and have now been able to move past my insecurities.

"I don't want my disabilities to define me; they don't stop me living a full and active life".

"My hope is that my book will inspire people to come out of their comfort zone and face their own challenges and to grab every opportunity with both hands; not living their lives with the regret of wishing they'd had a go and dared to dream," she added.

Ms McCann says she hopes to bring out her second book by the end of 2024 about her experience of training for a triathlon at the age of 60.

An audio version of Running Blind was published in February 2024.

Helen McCann Helen McCann standing by a tandemHelen McCann
Helen McCann hopes to write a second book on her experiences competing in a triathlon aged 60.
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