In brief: Shadat Khan, a blind runner who took up the sport in Jersey after losing his sight, has completed a gruelling 95-mile run along the Buckinghamshire Way. The 55-year-old completed the route in 34 hours, supported by ten guide runners, and is raising funds to buy white canes for blind children at a school in Zimbabwe.
From Jersey Parkrun to Ultra-Marathon
It is not every day that a story begins with a medical diagnosis and ends with a 95-mile run through the English countryside, but Shadat Khan is not every day sort of person. The 55-year-old, who lived in Jersey for three years, recently completed the full length of the Buckinghamshire Way, a route stretching between the historic county’s original southern-most and northern-most points, in 34 hours. The feat was part of his ongoing “Sha Goes Far” challenge series.
The Jersey Evening Post reports that Mr Khan’s running journey began on the Island after his sight deteriorated rapidly over a two-week period, leading to a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition affecting vision. Registered blind and struggling with mental health problems as a result of his sight loss, he was encouraged to take part in Jersey Parkrun. What started as a tentative step became a passion.
“Looking back I feel I was fortunate this happened in Jersey, as there was real care shown to me by the community,” Mr Khan said. “I fell in love with the sport and have met a lot of people along the way.”
Since relocating to England, Mr Khan has gone on to complete marathons and ultra-marathons, as well as continuing his regular weekly Parkruns. His Buckinghamshire Way run was completed with the support of ten guide runners and a nine-person support crew, a reminder that achievements of this scale are rarely solo efforts, even when the headline belongs to one remarkable individual.
Running for a Cause: White Canes for Zimbabwe
Beyond the personal challenge, Mr Khan’s run carried a clear humanitarian purpose. He is raising funds to purchase white canes for 450 blind and partially-sighted children at a school in his native Zimbabwe. According to the Jersey Evening Post, none of the pupils currently have white canes, and many make their way to school by holding hands with others or feeling their way along.
“My aim is to collect as many canes as possible in time for a trip home at the end of the year, so that I can distribute them,” Mr Khan explained. “The canes only cost around £10, but they make a huge difference.”
At that price, the maths are straightforward and the impact is immediate. Those wishing to support the initiative can find links to the fundraising pages via ShaGoesFar on Facebook and Instagram.
Jersey’s Role in the Story
For Jersey readers, there is something quietly gratifying about this story. Mr Khan’s account of the community support he received on the Island during one of the most difficult periods of his life speaks well of Jersey’s capacity for genuine human warmth. Parkrun, a free, weekly, timed 5km run open to all abilities, has become a fixture in many communities, and Jersey’s version clearly played a meaningful role in setting one man on a remarkable path.
It is also a useful reminder that the Island’s contribution to people’s lives does not always show up in statistics or government reports. Sometimes it shows up 95 miles along a Buckinghamshire footpath, in the story of a man who found his footing here first.
Source: Jersey Evening Post
