Blind Westchester runner trains for Boston Marathon

A Westchester man is determined to keep up with some of the world's best runners by training for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Tom Panek, of Pound Ridge, is fully blind. He says he has been working

News 12 Staff

Apr 18, 2015, 1:11 AM

Updated 3,303 days ago

Share:

Blind Westchester runner trains for Boston Marathon
A Westchester man is determined to keep up with some of the world's best runners by training for the upcoming Boston Marathon.
Tom Panek, of Pound Ridge, is fully blind. He says he has been working especially hard to train for the marathon by keeping pace with Scott Jurek, who broke long-distance records when he ran 166 miles in one day. Jurek will also serve as his guide during the race, navigating him through the sea of runners.
Panek works as CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. He says that he wants to inspire others with his story. He also wishes to instill the importance of a guide, whether it be a dog or human, for the seeing impaired.
The Boston Marathon will be held this Monday, April 20. Panek says that his goal is to complete the race in under four hours.


More from News 12
1:44
SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

SUNY Purchase students start pro-Palestinian encampment

2:22
Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

Partly sunny, light breeze for Friday in the Hudson Valley; afternoon showers for Saturday

2:48
Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian encampment remains at SUNY New Paltz campus

0:22
Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

Mount Vernon police: No injuries reported following shots fired incident

0:32
Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

0:21
Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

0:33
Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

1:47
Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

0:36
Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

Police: Woman arrested in connection to student brawl outside Yonkers school

1:44
Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

1:02
Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for completion of New Rochelle affordable housing development

0:32
Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

Bedford School District to receive more money aid, boost in funding from state

0:30
Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

Blooming Grove highway worker seriously injured during tree removal

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

0:28
SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit

SPCA Westchester launches first mobile adoption unit

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

1:44
Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

Exploring the Westchester children's museum: A journey of play and discovery

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows