A RECORD breaking number of blind runners took part in an event in Chipping Sodbury last weekend.

The Parkrun Visually Impaired (VI) Take-Over took place on Saturday morning, and saw the largest amount of VI runners at a Parkrun, across the world, ever.

For the uninitiated, Parkrun organises free, weekly, 2km and 5km runs around the world, which are free and open to everyone.

Chipping Sodbury's Parkrun, which takes place every week on the Ridings, has been going for four years.

The VI Takeover saw 12 blind runners, accompanied by specially trained guides, complete the 5K course, alongside 397 sighted participants.

Kerry Casson, who lost her sight at the age of 25, completed the track dressed as super hero Batgirl.

"The Chipping Sodbury Take-Over was awesome," she said.

"Andy Airey, one of the Chipping Sodbury's Parkrun organisers, has been a strong supporter of the VI running community.

"He and Colin Johnson, who co-ordinates the Bristol VI Runners Group, have been responsible for a real inclusive and can do attitude in the wider Bristol area and beyond."

Andy Airey is a trained VI runner guide, and is currently organising courses so that others can become guides too.

"I believe that the VI Take-Over was a crucially important event in raising awareness of visually impaired sport for everyone, not just para athletes," said Kerry.

"So many visually impaired people don't know that sport is accessible to them and there are so many people who take part in sport who would be willing to help a disabled person access sport, but don't know how to get involved.

"The Take-Over was about bringing everyone together in the same place to run and talk."

"Running with a guide is an incredibly liberating experience.

"For 15 years I have been pretty much glued to my white cane.

"You get about, but it is always with a thought of what might lie in front of your next step, even for someone like me, who is confident getting around with the cane.

"When you run with a guide, it allows you to run freely, knowing that the person next to you is watching the road ahead for you.

"It's not an easy adjustment for everyone, sometimes it takes a long time to build up that sort of trust.

"For me, I have a bit of a hell for leather attitude and I'll run with anyone, if I trip and fall I'm taking you with me!

"I would encourage any visually impaired person thinking about giving it a go to dive in and contact Parkrun, British Athletics or the RNIB to find groups and guides. The feeling of freedom and accomplishment is addictive."

Kerry is now preparing to take part in the London Superhero Run on May 13, where she will be fundraising for Attitude is Everything, a charity that improves deaf and disabled people's access to live music.

"The whole 'Blind As A Batgirl' started when I signed up for the London Superhero Run.

"They encourage everyone to dress up and that makes it all the more appealing to me.

"We were discussing what costume I should wear in the office and someone suggested Batgirl, immediately someone else returned with 'more like Blind As A Batgirl' and there she was born!

"I love to dress up, always have done, but now I'm supposed to be a sensible adult I'm expected to provide legitimate reasons for running round dressed as a superhero.

"I feel so passionately about the causes I support that I want to tell everyone about them, to do that you need people's attention and I'm happy to do whatever it takes draw their attention in our direction."

To sponsor Kerry visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blind-as-a-bat-girl

For more information about Chipping Sodbury Parkrun visit: parkrun.org.uk/chippingsodbury/