*Post Sponsored by Carphone Warehouse*
Simon Wheatcroft is an ultra-marathon runner who uses the latest smartphone technology and apps in order to overcome his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition. Simon began losing his sight to this disease at the age of 13, and was classified blind when he turned 17.
Simon is working with Carphone Warehouse on their Smarter World initiative, celebrating the great and interesting things that people do with their smartphones, encouraging others to share their stories online.
Shortly before joining University, Simon decided that he wouldn’t allow his disability to get in the way of his love of running, and started training near his house, in an area that he memorised in his head.
Using a normal iPhone and existing fitness apps, such as RunKeeper, Simon was able to utilise audio to keep track of how far he was running, his heart rate, and his average pace, alongside his location using GPS, allowing him to keep track of his route without the need for a guide dog or running companion.
Constantly looking for new challenges, Simon is taking part in ultra-marathons including the Grim Reaper (a 40 mile race), and has ambitions for the New York Marathon in 2014. But his biggest aim is to race the fabled Ocean Floor race – 160 miles through one of the harshest environments in the world, the Sahara Desert.
Simon is passionate about his ultra-marathon running, and wants to raise awareness of the opportunities that smartphones can give to those who suffer from his condition.
To find out more about the wonderful things we can do with our smartphones or share your own story visit www.carphonewarehouse.com/smarterworld.
The post Visually Impaired Man Runs Marathons Using Smartphone appeared first on The Mobile Web Design Blog.
