Lars Bosselmann, finishing beyond sight

Running as a breath of fresh air

The athlete was born across the border from France, in Germany. It was only a few years ago that he decided to run through the streets of the French capital. Alongside his passion for running, he is executive director of the European Blind Union.

Once he passed the age of 40, this lifelong sports enthusiast, particularly in rowing, decided to swap the oars for running shoes. Although, to be fair, he still finds himself reaching for the oars from time to time on the run, especially around the 30th kilometre of a marathon! His love of running began in Brussels, at his first race in 2019. « I took on the 20 km de Bruxelles, a somewhat legendary race and a landmark event in local life ». That first race number marked the beginning of a list that would keep growing, along with the distances he covered.

The marathon as his guiding light

Like any committed amateur runner, the idea of taking on the classic distance soon began to occupy his thoughts. And what better race than the Marathon de Paris to join the great marathon family? In 2021, Lars Bosselmann set out to earn the coveted finisher's medal. He faced several setbacks when the event was postponed because of the pandemic. But all's well that ends well: the marathon was eventually moved to October, and Lars Bosselmann completed it in style alongside his three guides.

A relationship built on trust

For blind athletes like Lars, a marathon or any other race is a two-person effort. Two hearts beating, four legs moving and a shared rhythm to find. But long before that rhythm can be established, a running partner has to be found. And that alone can feel like a marathon. The runner needs someone with him for every training session. He cannot decide at the last minute to reschedule a workout or go in the evening instead of the morning, because he must always have a guide with him. That is the main challenge for this seasoned athlete. It requires a great deal of flexibility and demands real discipline, too. Even so, things are changing. Since he started running, Lars has seen new solutions emerge, including the « My Binôme » app.

➜ Find out more about the « My Binôme » app

What really matters is the relationship of trust, because as with any relationship built on trust, some people are easier to run with than others. There is also a shared way of running, the stride and the pace, which makes certain pairings work particularly well.

The app connects people with disabilities and volunteers who guide them in a range of shared sporting activities.

An example of determination and inspiration

Today, with a personal best of 3:52 set in Hamburg and a head full of new goals, including his first triathlon, Lars Bosselmann is showing that disability should never define the limits of a dream. Through his shared miles, he offers a powerful lesson in perseverance and trust in others. His journey is a reminder that beyond the obstacles, the doubts and the infamous wall at the 30th kilometre, what matters most is having the courage to start and dare to cross the finish line. Proof, too, that a passion for sport does not need sight to find its fullest expression.

➜ Take a closer look with the book « Tenir la distance »