Mary Nunns, a 74-year-old who is completely blind and partially deaf, is set to run the London Marathon for the first time this weekend, alongside her daughter Sarah. Growing up, Mary was told she would never amount to much or enjoy sports, but she has spent her life proving doubters wrong.
A Life of Defying Expectations
Born prematurely at 28 weeks, an overdose of oxygen shortly after birth irreversibly damaged her ears and optic nerves. Mary, a former audio typist from Bexleyheath, South East London, recalls: "Now they know that preemie babies have a sensitivity to oxygen, but back then they didn't. I got off lightly. Too much oxygen can cause brain damage, organ failure and even death. I fought, I was bloody minded, and I survived against all expectations."
Mary has consistently challenged low expectations. She learned to play the church organ to a high standard, excelled in high jump at school, won swimming races, and even took up windsurfing in her 40s. "Who says I can't do something? Why not?" she says.
Running Together
Sarah, 45, a marathon coach and charity consultant from Liverpool, has been running the London Marathon since 2018. Mary and her husband Timothy, 72, have supported her every year. Last summer, Mary secured a coveted ballot place. "I nearly fainted in shock," she says. "I'm not a runner, or at least I wasn't - I am now!"
Because Mary is blind, she runs alongside Sarah, holding her arm and using touch to guide her movements. "There are many ways to run a marathon when you're blind," explains Sarah. "Tether, verbal instructions. We run together with mum taking my arm and she uses the feedback of how I'm moving to give her the signals of how to run, or whether I'm turning left or right."
Their non-verbal communication has been strong since Sarah was a child. "I guide mum in an almost subconscious manner. I've grown up with mum being blind, so we developed ways of communicating with each other before I could even talk," Sarah says. "Until I was seven or eight, I found it really weird that other mums could see."
Training and Fundraising
Training together has been a bonding experience. Mary calls Sarah multiple times a week to share her progress. "She's my star pupil," Sarah adds. Mary is running for VICTA, a charity supporting blind and partially sighted children and young adults, and has raised over £3,000 so far. "I've been shameless in getting everyone I have ever met to sponsor me. My chiropodist, my local councillor. It's increased my confidence no end," she says.
Mary hopes to inspire others: "A lot of people are absolutely gobsmacked when I tell them I'm running the London Marathon. I'm proof that if you want to do something, it can be done. I'll see you at the finish line."
