blind runner dongdongs xiamen marathon journey

On January 3, 2017, the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport. My heart was still not at peace, and the memories of my trip to Xiamen Marathon were vivid. Just as I was lost in those memories, Brother Yu nudged me and said, 'Dongdong, look who’s here!'

Yes, it was our team leader He Yajun. He was holding a large bouquet of flowers, accompanied by volunteers Sister Ba and Sister Zian, who had come to the airport to pick me up! I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. What did I do to deserve such an honor?

My name is Wang Dongdong, and I am a blind masseur who can only vaguely see up to two meters. This was my first time on a plane, my first time going to Xiamen, my first time seeing the sea, my first time running a full marathon by the seaside, and my first time having such a special birthday...

It's been half a month since I returned from Xiamen, and I've always wanted to write a memoir. There are so many things I want to say, so many people I want to thank, but when it comes to expressing it, I don't know where to start. All my heartfelt words can be condensed into two words: Thank you!

Thank you, Brother Shuizhuyu, for your care and support throughout the entire process—from registration, training, preparation, boarding, traveling, accommodation, running the marathon, to returning to Beijing. You treated me like family!

For a long time, I felt like I was Brother Yu's real younger brother. There are so many things I want to say to him, but I don't know how to start.

Thank you, Sister Zhu Liwei, and your family for your care and love throughout the journey. Every time I see photos of me with your family, I feel like I am truly a member of Sister Zhu's family. Even Zhu's daughter, Little Jin Zhu, who is not yet four years old, took care of me like a little adult—helping me carry things, guiding me, and feeding me delicious food.

I especially want to thank Sister Zhu for giving me the most surprising, unexpected, happiest, and unforgettable birthday gift of my life.

When I reached the finish line of the Xiamen Marathon and learned from Brother Yu about the mysterious secret I had been curious about for so long, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I am grateful to Sister Zhu and her entire family.

Thank you to the five volunteers—Sister Jiangnan, Brother Dingding, Brother Shun, Brother Yu, and Sister Zhu—who accompanied me throughout the Xiamen Marathon, carrying water and supplies, shielding me from the crowd, and especially for not abandoning me when I encountered unexpected difficulties in the second half of the race and almost got disqualified.

This challenging journey made me truly understand the reverence for the marathon and that running is not as simple as just saying 'run'.

Thank you, Xiamen Marathon, for teaching me the life lesson that effort and reward are proportional.

In the last 20 kilometers of the Xiamen Marathon, I had blisters on my feet, and every step felt like being pricked by needles. Coupled with frequent diarrhea, I told myself, 'Wang Dongdong, get on the support vehicle. You can't let the five volunteers miss out on their medals because of you!'

However, I didn't want to disappoint the brothers and sisters who had worked so hard alongside me. So I gritted my teeth, thinking of the volunteers who had run with me throughout the year, as if they were right beside me.

I thought of Sister Xiaoyun, who accompanied me the most, no matter the weather, always bringing enough supplies and running with me without hesitation.

I thought of Sister Hui, who gave me running shoes, celebrated my birthday, took me on trips, and took care of me in every way.

I thought of Sister Wendy, Sister Xiaoxing, Brother Yang Shuo, Brother Paonan, Brother Liang Xuebing, and many other volunteers who had run with me!

'Wang Dongdong, if you are a man, you cannot give up!' So I gritted my teeth, held Brother Yu and Sister Jiangnan's hands, followed Sister Zhu who was leading the way, and dragged my injured foot... Finally, we crossed the finish line together!

At the moment I received the medal, I wanted to hug each of them. If there is a next life, I pray to the heavens to let me see the faces of these volunteer brothers and sisters clearly before taking away my sight again, so I can etch their images in my heart.

Although my debut at the Xiamen Marathon had its regrets, as Sister Zhu Liwei said, 'Never give up, never be discouraged, train hard, and we'll come back to Xiamen next year for a PB revenge!'

To the buddies in He Yajun's Blind Assistance Group, let's work hard together this year. Let's live up to ourselves, to the many volunteers who love and support us, and to Team Leader He who has built such a great platform. In 2017, let's run together hand in hand!

(Note: Because the protagonist of this article, Wang Dongdong, is a blind runner, he entrusted He Yajun's Blind Assistance Group's @Ben'er Ben'er Ben to organize and edit his oral account.)

Oral account: Dongdong; Organized by: @Ben'er Ben'er Ben