WATERTOWN, Mass. -- Legally blind marathoner Marla Runyan made a special visit Tuesday to the students at The Perkins School for the Blind, as she prepares for next week's Boston Marathon.

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Runner Inspires Students

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that Runyan told the next generation of visually impaired athletes that she's proof that anything is possible.

"I have a challenge for you guys," Runyan told the students. "I want you to try in seven days to put in the distance of an entire marathon."

Runyan also ran with all the students, many of whom suffer from developmental disabilities.

"It means a lot," student Stephen Yerardi said. "It definitely shows a good example that blind people or anybody who's handicapped can achieve and run in something that's sighted."

Runyan said that she is inspired by the students.

"I think some of them are my role models quite honestly," she said. "These kids have to work twice as hard. They have to put in twice as much effort in everything they do."

Runyan was diagnosed at age 9 with Stargardt's disease, a form of macular degeneration. Legally blind, she finished fourth in the New York Marathon, relying a lot on peripheral vision.

"I'm not able see a far distance, what's ahead of me, what's happening, if the road's going to turn," she said.

She said that she does not expect special treatment at Monday's marathon. She and her husband/coach hope for a top-three finish.

"In the marathon, it's the crowd that gets you through, and if you're going to run a marathon, you're going to want to run Boston, because you want that support," Runyan said.

A bicyclist will accompany Runyan along the marathon route to inform her of her split times and of any possible obstacles along the course.