Tony Barclay MBE

In my late teens, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour that led to degenerative sight loss — and by age 36 was registered blind. At the time, I was working as a police officer. The loss of my sight — and that role — took away my confidence, sense of purpose, and identity.
Despite believing that running wouldn’t be possible with limited vision (especially having not run for about 18 years), I was ‘encouraged’ to try a “Couch to 5 K” programme in early 2014.. Initially resistant, I eventually gave it a go. That first run was “indescribable” for: it gave me back a sense of possibility and helped him “believe again.” From that point my running career took off: C25k in winter was followed by a 10k trail run in June, half marathon in September, and my first marathon in Londonderry in May 2015; now completed multiple times. My first ultramarathon was in 2016: the “Knockathon” (three loops of the Knockagh, Carrickfergus — 10.3 miles per loop). Like Forrest, I just kept on running, covering numerous 10 Ks, half-marathons, full marathons and even ultramarathons — all while tethered to a sighted guide.
I became the first visually impaired licensed, qualified running coach on the island (Northern Ireland / Ireland) in 2017, and have since supported numerous runners through Couch right up to marathons. I also train folk across NI as guide runners, including within NI prisons. I am event director of Carrickfergus parkrun, and a parkrun ambassador.
In 2016 I organised the first “Running Blind” challenge — an event where sighted and visually impaired runners pair up (one wears a blindfold), swapping over for a second lap. This event continued for several years, raising funds for charity and raising awareness. I am also an RNIB sport ambassador, encouraging visually impaired folk to participate, and encouraging acceptance and understanding of visual impairment within the running community and beyond. Through this advocacy and community involvement, I have created real opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to get active, socialise, and experience running in an inclusive environment.

His story has been used to challenge preconceptions about what people with sight loss can do. He has spoken about how running gave him back purpose after years believing “life had given up on me.”
In 2023, I was awarded an MBE for his services to the visually impaired community.
I continue to advocate for sport inclusion — often speaking publicly about how running (and sport generally) give back a sense of self, purpose and community. I try to inspire others to “believe in yourself.”

Tony is also a competitive compound archer, the first qualified visually impaired archery coach in Ireland, and is a Director of Archery GB.