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Running into the Dark: a blind man’s record-setting run across America
A man takes on the challenge of a lifetime after hitting rock bottom. He finds himself divorced, unemployed and in a deep depression when a degenerative eye condition renders him blind with limited light perception. Feeling a calling to run across America, he dedicated the next two years of his life to prepare for, and ultimately run, over 3,000 miles from California to New York in less than 60 days, averaging 51.5 miles per day, to log the 7th fastest transcontinental foot crossing in the history of the world - less than 300 people have crossed America on foot. It was, and remains the only transcontinental foot-crossing by a blind person.
This is not just a book about running. This is a story of success and failure, healing and hurting, and loss and love. It is a book about struggling with adversity, learning to not give up or give in, to accept one's self for all that one is, and is not. It is every person's story.
Running into the Dark is a manifesto about how to continue ONWARD.
Jason Romero is a highly sought after Keynote Speaker for conventions, conferences and commencements, a US Paralympian who was 4th in the world at the Paralympic World Marathon Championships in 2015, a holder of 13 world records in ultra-running, the subject of a full length documentary and an author. In addition, Jason has been an attorney, an executive at GE and a CEO of a non-profit that helps children with Autism.
What people are saying about Jason Romero
“His story is not only personally moving but is full of great lessons for all management teams.” — Stewart Glendinning (CEO, Molson Coors International)
“As the first blind person to run from California to New York, Jason has quite the story to tell, and he does so eloquently and passionately....” — Jim Browning (COO, Goodwill Industries)
“Jason motivated me and the audience to reach deep within ourselves to ‘go the extra mile’ and to improve our lives and the lives of others.” — Mark Lucas (CEO, US Association of Blind Athletes)
“Jason is, first and foremost, a man of high integrity and true compassion. He's smart, educated, accomplished and a great father. He's a motivating role model for many.” —Scott Burt (CEO, Integro)
“Jason Romero has one of the most remarkable stories you will ever hear. Running across the United States in 60 consecutive days is only the starting point. Factor in visual impairment, a miniscule budget, and a one-person crew, and you would pretty much say this venture was doomed to fail. But if you know Jason at all, you would understand that failure was simply not an option.” — Michael Kragt, Ph.D, Executive Director, Grace Counseling
“Jason is humble and kind and has the ability to connect with individuals facing barriers and teams battling challenges. I recommend Jason to speak to any organization looking to inspire their employees.” — Stuart Davie, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries
This is not just a book about running. This is a story of success and failure, healing and hurting, and loss and love. It is a book about struggling with adversity, learning to not give up or give in, to accept one's self for all that one is, and is not. It is every person's story.
Running into the Dark is a manifesto about how to continue ONWARD.
Jason Romero is a highly sought after Keynote Speaker for conventions, conferences and commencements, a US Paralympian who was 4th in the world at the Paralympic World Marathon Championships in 2015, a holder of 13 world records in ultra-running, the subject of a full length documentary and an author. In addition, Jason has been an attorney, an executive at GE and a CEO of a non-profit that helps children with Autism.
What people are saying about Jason Romero
“His story is not only personally moving but is full of great lessons for all management teams.” — Stewart Glendinning (CEO, Molson Coors International)
“As the first blind person to run from California to New York, Jason has quite the story to tell, and he does so eloquently and passionately....” — Jim Browning (COO, Goodwill Industries)
“Jason motivated me and the audience to reach deep within ourselves to ‘go the extra mile’ and to improve our lives and the lives of others.” — Mark Lucas (CEO, US Association of Blind Athletes)
“Jason is, first and foremost, a man of high integrity and true compassion. He's smart, educated, accomplished and a great father. He's a motivating role model for many.” —Scott Burt (CEO, Integro)
“Jason Romero has one of the most remarkable stories you will ever hear. Running across the United States in 60 consecutive days is only the starting point. Factor in visual impairment, a miniscule budget, and a one-person crew, and you would pretty much say this venture was doomed to fail. But if you know Jason at all, you would understand that failure was simply not an option.” — Michael Kragt, Ph.D, Executive Director, Grace Counseling
“Jason is humble and kind and has the ability to connect with individuals facing barriers and teams battling challenges. I recommend Jason to speak to any organization looking to inspire their employees.” — Stuart Davie, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 9, 2025
Inspiring story of Jason Romero’s becoming blind while succeeding in his career as well as athletics. There are good insights and lots of his accomplishments! His blindness is a attributed to retinol, pigment ptosis,, RP, which is tunnel vision. His stories of trying to navigate The gradual decline was interesting to me, as I have lived a lot of what he describes. This might not be for everybody, but for anyone struggling with becoming blind, I recommend.
October 25, 2018
A fascinating memoir about running across America and about overcoming handicaps and adversity.
Jason Romero is losing his sight, doubts himself and his ability to survive doing everyday things. He's challenged himself to run long distances, first short races, then marathons, then 100 mile (Iron Man runs), and finally the 3000+ miles across the US.
The reading never lets you down, never stops. You'll never get bored as you run along with Jason.
For a different review see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
Jason Romero is losing his sight, doubts himself and his ability to survive doing everyday things. He's challenged himself to run long distances, first short races, then marathons, then 100 mile (Iron Man runs), and finally the 3000+ miles across the US.
The reading never lets you down, never stops. You'll never get bored as you run along with Jason.
For a different review see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com
May 26, 2021
This is a very intense story with vivid explanations of the lived experience of Jason Romero. He is brutally honest about his path into a severe visual impairment. His story about how he navigated his passion for long distance running with his visual impairment was epic. A must read for anyone who would like to believe that we can triumph over our fears and doubts.
February 3, 2018
A blind man’s run across America. 51.5 miles a day. That’s amazing enough, but Jason Romero’s memoir tells a powerful full of lessons and inspiration. Whether you’re a runner or not, you should read this book. And Jason, thanks for giving me your book as a Christmas present! I loved it!
August 17, 2020
Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Jason tells his amazing story in such a humble way that we to which we average people cal relate. Can not recommend this book highly enough!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews