Deafblind runner James Clarke completes ambition to gain 100 medals in 8 years

There were celebrations on the south coast of England this weekend as dozens of Deaf people cheered on Deafblind runner James Clarke as he gained his 100th running medal, a challenge which has taken him eight years to complete.

James is 38 years old and has Usher Syndrome. His challenge included full marathons, half marathons, and runs of 20 miles, 16 miles and 10 kilometres. He has completed runs in countries across Europe.

His final run took place in Saltdean, near Brighton. He is pictured with his supporters below (James is in the centre, wearing a red vest with ‘100’ written on it!).

Over the last eight years, many Deaf people have followed his progress via his Facebook page, where he says:

“In the future when my vision will be very limited and I want to remember these 100 run medals by holding, feeling them and looked back with a pride.”

James told us:

“After I crossed the finish line at Saltdean with a line of supporters and the runners is something I’ll never forget. I feel my message has already reached the world and advise anybody never, never, and never said “you can’t, you should’t and you better not” on anything what deafblind / usher people want to achieve, because of their limited ambition. Of course my ambitions are very limited due to my deafblindness but 100 medals in 8 years is not impossible.”