RELAY runners will have the opportunity to pace themselves alongside a Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder in the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon on Sunday 5 October.

Kenyan Henry Wanyoike, who is blind, has raced the marathon for the last two years, but this year has invited others to join him on one leg of the five stages, acting as his sight guide.

After a minor stroke at the age of 21, Henry completely lost his sight. But he did not let it affect his childhood dreams of competing in athletics and was successful at the Sydney Paralympics in 2008, winning the 5,000 metres for the visually impaired. He is also competing this month in Beijing.

His friend and regular running partner Joseph Kibunja, who has accompanied Henry on his last two races in Jersey, will be entering the October marathon on his own. Race director Helen Baker urged Islanders to grab this ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’.

• Runners can enter the marathon online at www.jersey-marathon.com, but organisers have warned that there are limited places available.