Hundreds of runners will partake in the 28th annual UCC Coffee Kona Marathon today along the iconic Ali‘i Drive, including one contestant that is running for something greater than herself.

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Hundreds of runners will partake in the 28th annual UCC Coffee Kona Marathon today along the iconic Ali‘i Drive, including one contestant that is running for something greater than herself.

Oahu resident Marri Murdoch, a visually-impaired marathon runner, will be taking on the Kona Coast for the first time alongside guide Eric Helms — a Hilo-based doctor. Together, the pair will pass oceanfront residential areas, coastal resorts and beaches along the iconic Pacific coastline on the mostly-flat race route.

“It’ll be a challenging race, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Murdoch told the paper in a recent phone interview. “It’ll be hot, but fun for sure.”

Murdoch didn’t begin her long-distance-running journey until after she lost part of her vision from a stroke, starting with 10Ks before gradually working her way up. She created a safety bubble to run a few miles on her own during the early mornings, but also runs with other sighted runners for longer distances.

The more Murdoch ran, the more she wanted to redefine what was possible for impaired athletes. She eventually completed her first marathon on Maui before running the esteemed Honolulu Marathon, which she also plans to race again this December.

“It truly takes a village to make this happen,” Murdoch said. “I have a lot of support.”

Coinciding with her new hobby, Murdoch began building up her nonprofit — Travel Visions Aloha for the Blind. Feeling isolated and disconnected on Oahu, Murdoch began researching and found a striking lack of services for visually-impaired individuals across Hawaii, which soon led to the nonprofit coming to life.

Through the organization, Murdoch has helped hundreds of visually-impaired athletes since launching programs in 2024 — such as hosting run club events, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, trips to museums and botanical gardens and more.

Each participant is given one volunteer that caters to that person’s specific needs.

“We want to get people out of those shells of isolation and downward spiral, and really bring them out into an upward spiral,” Murdoch said. “I came out of something that I thought had shattered me, and turned it into my greatest success.

“We want to show them that when they open their minds to a new way of life, it totally shifts their perspective.”

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“It was so liberating to know how it feels to run again and feel safe. It really shifted how I viewed myself and what else is still possible,” one TVA Run Club participant added.

In addition to racing, Murdoch will meet with Teachers of the Visually Impaired and speak to members of the National Federation of the Blind Kona Chapter. Murdoch plans to share one simple message: vision loss does not define a person or their future.

Helms, who will be guiding for the very first time, is excited for the opportunity to run alongside Murdoch and help spread awareness to a great cause.

“It’s going to be fun,” he added. “It’s easy to stay motivated for something bigger than yourself. I want to do a great job for Marri and everything she’s trying to achieve with her outreach in the community.”

Regardless of how fast she finishes the race, as long as Murdoch inspires greater awareness, inclusion and opportunity for the visually impaired across Hawaii, she feels that it is all worth it.

“When someone loses vision, it can feel like their world shrinks,” she said. “I want people to know that life can still be active, connected, meaningful and full of possibility.”

Murdoch hopes to keep building relationships on the Big Island and return for more cause-driven events in the near future. For anyone wanting to get involved with Travel Visions Aloha for the Blind — or even volunteer — email [email protected].

“I’d love to take another step on the Big Island, so reach out to me,” Murdoch said. “We’re looking for community support, funding, volunteers and more. I’m trying to reach everyone on the island that might be able to help us.”

For any visually-impaired or blind individual that wants
to live a more active and healthy lifestyle but is unsure of where to start, Murdoch encourages them to not be afraid to pursue resources.

“Find the resources — reach out to me or anyone else you
can find. We will connect with you and help you.”

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To learn more about Murdoch’s nonprofit, travelvisionsaloha.org.