In this article, we consider what it means to be running blind. As an idiom, this phrase refers to doing something through guesswork, without a plan or pre-existing knowledge; instead, our notion of running blind offers an alternative perspective. Drawing upon a novel theoretical approach, which is multidisciplinary and engages with the work of visually impaired (VI) and non-VI scholars, we establish the rich, creative and diverse sensory practices of VI runners. The data in this article is drawn from a qualitative study involving eight blind and partially sighted participants, who each took part in two semi-structured interviews. Using abductive analysis, our discussion is organised around the route: 1) Knowing the route; 2) Navigating the route; and 3) Pleasures of the route. While VI runners` sensory practices are unique, there are significant commonalities in our participants` experiences of running blind, including the mapping process, agency and freedom en route, multisensorial modes of navigation and more-than-visual running pleasures. This article demonstrates the importance of exploring non-ocularnormative conceptions of sport and physical activity, which is of value for VI runners, guide runners and key stakeholders alike.
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