The current marathon boom in Japan has brought into focus the men and women who accompany visually impaired runners, facilitating their participation in such events.
The escorts, who require no specific qualifications, are organized into nine groups throughout the country and regularly hold training sessions, according to the Japan Blind Marathon Association.
Blind runners and their escorts "can share the joy of having managed to finish a marathon. That is appealing," said Masayoshi Ono, who organizes one of the groups in Sapporo.