Partly blind P.E.I. marathon runner inspires others to lace up

ToddMacAuslandhas several marathons under his belt, but running an endurance race isnot the biggest challenge he has faced.

The Stratford manhasretinitispigmentosa, a disease that causes slow progressive vision losswith no treatment or cure.

He knows theroads he runs very well,even though what he sees of them is hazy.

"I don't have any night vision left at all now. It's pretty hard to navigate in the dark, soI rely on family and friends when we're out and about and peripherallymyvision has deteriorated," says MacAusland.

Four years ago he wanted to get into shape,so MacAuslandsays hestarted exercising on his treadmill. That turned into 5K runs which ledto marathons three so far.

He says he found support in a community of visually impaired runnersand guides who help.

"We just run alongside together, I like to keep them on my left side, they know to call out curbs coming out, or if there's traffic coming, or anything I might not see," says MacAusland.

Dana Cole has been one of MacAusland's running partners for the last yearand has accompanied him to runs off-Island. She says he gives a great deal of himself to others.

"He's very encouraging. When we see Todd running, there's no reason why the rest of us shouldn't be doing the same thing," Cole says.

MacAusland's next goal is the Support the Troops half-marathon this April in Charlottetown. He says his wife and children are his biggest inspiration.

"I made the decision a long time agothat I was going to live my life the best way I could, change what I can, manage what I can't and just move forward."