a blind runner is connected to a guide by a tether on the wrist, which the guide uses to subtly indicate, without breaking stride, when to turn, accelerate or avoid an obstacle, whether on the track or on the road, as in a marathon. once henry got used to working with guides, he quickly established himself as a world-class non-sighted runner, earning a spot on the kenyan national squad for the 5000-meter race at the sydney paralympics in 2000. as he ran so quickly another problem emerged, that his guides could not keep up. nevertheless, he not only won the gold medal but set a paralympic record too. now wanyoike runs with his track guide and childhood friend, joseph kibunja.