A 66-year-old woman from Baltimore who was declared legally blind has completed the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Jackie King ran alongside a volunteer guide from the Achilles International Baltimore chapter despite losing her vision due to a rare inherited disease.
King was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa which is a condition where vision starts off having troubles with dim lighting but then is gradually narrowed, and she was declared legally blind in 2024.
“I’m gradually losing my sight,” King said. “At first, I didn’t understand what was happening. The movie theater would seem darker, and my eyes wouldn’t adjust.”
With help from her guide, Emmeline Leggett, and through training sessions in Baltimore’s Patterson Park, King built up the endurance needed for the 26.2-mile course. She joined the Achilles chapter because it pairs athletes with disabilities with volunteer running guides.
“I’ve been with Achilles since the start of the Baltimore chapter,” Leggett said. “It’s about creating community and trust.”
King’s desire for running began after she realised her vision loss was progressing. She said her first race sparked a newfound sense of purpose despite having “never run more than a mile” before.
“I saw other runners and said, ‘I want to run a marathon,’ even though I’d never run more than a mile,” she said.
She said the marathon “was a challenge,” but she was glad she took it on. The marathon finish adds an achievement to her story. Her daughter, Demerise, supports her mother and often cheers her on.
“It’s awesome to see her run so well after everything she’s been through,” she said. “I’m so proud of her.”
King made sure to tell viewers that this run isn’t just about the miles to her. In fact, she made an impactful statement regarding her athletic performance and her disability.
“I don’t want to be seen as a disabled athlete,” King said. “I’m an athlete with a disability. It’s a choice to keep going.”
Her run serves as a reminder that people with disabilities can continue to compete and succeed in major athletic events when given support and accommodation.
