Some challenges are more visible than for male and female participants.
Never has it been more important that events are inclusive to all and, while steps have been taken to address this in recent years, a gap remains.
For Lara Sullivan, who has autism, and Jack Roughan, who is visually impaired, the challenges and requirements are varied. But, for both, the 10K is a distance that offers opportunity and a sense of belonging.
Here, they take a look at what it is about the event that brings them a sense of self.
Lara, 30, began her relationship with running at an early age.
Her mum, Cristina, represented Spain in Lara’s youth, and she grew up in a home where being active was a part of daily life.
Despite being a high-performing youth runner, Lara decided to step away as she didn’t like the pressure of competing. Aged 27, she was diagnosed with autism – a day that she says “rocked my world” – but that was also when she began to understand the kind of runner she wanted to be.
"I felt very isolated and didn’t know who to talk to,” says Lara. “To process, I went for a run and things escalated from there. Running gave me clarity about my diagnosis and that was when I started to use my voice to raise awareness, even if that meant I was putting myself in a vulnerable position. I want to find a joy in moving. Most of my runs are walk-runs because, why not? People don’t talk about regression in distance enough, but I am loving the shorter distance, and it helps me reflect on why I started in the first place. Not enough neurodiverse people move, because there are barriers, and my goal is to put a spotlight on different ways to be active.
“There has been a growth in diagnosis and awareness. I took part in a race in Ireland earlier this year and it was a movement of force with women from all walks of life, many who are new to running, and all who have discovered something.”
In 2023, Lara lined up on the Start Line of the TCS London Marathon and faced many of the fears that had deterred her from mass participation events previously – including being among large numbers of people and being surrounded by plenty of noise. She says tapping into what worked for her made the day truly memorable.
“A lot of the things I have learned have been through trial and error. A race without headphones or water bottle were a catastrophe for me, but I have learned what works for me and am now able to enjoy it. You can put a blanket over generalised experiences of neurodiversity, but the difficulty of societal learning is that it affects people differently. We might not like crowds, or like a quiet zone but others might want to be in the middle to not miss out.”
Lara adds that having as much information as possible ahead of the event helps her plan, as well as knowing there will be staff and volunteers nearby to offer a helping hand, explaining that, “Autistic people like reinforcement”. Additionally, having quiet spaces can reduce a feeling of being overwhelmed, and knowing there will be other people sharing her experience. Ahead of taking part in the 2025 Vitality London 10,000, Lara hopes other people who are neurodivergent embrace the event and feel like they can take part one year.
“Representation is so important to neurodiverse people. I don't fit the stereotype of what people perceive an autistic person to be and want other people to see that and feel that they can be open about the condition. I hope people make the Start Line their own and adapt it to however their brain works. We are different but we are wonderful.”
Jack has taken the less conventional route to the 10K Start Line – having taken part in the London 2012 Paralympics as a sprinter.
Jack, 31, stepped away from elite-level sport, in part because he wanted to find more meaningful connection in his running community. More suited to shorter distances, he never thought he would be a 10K runner (let alone an ultra-marathon finisher as of June 2025). But, participating in the 2024 Vitality London 10,000 as a visually impaired runner helped him to create connections that are making a difference in his life.
"Running the Vitality London 10,000 was more than just a race — it was a turning point,” says Jack. “As a former Paralympic sprinter stepping into the world of distance running, this 10K marked my first major step. I wanted to reconnect with activity and support my mental health and wellbeing. I joined a run club, but it was hard to find a guide runner and I felt lonely at times. Nowadays I am hard pressed to choose which guide runner to choose!
“Being visually impaired, running with a guide was a whole new experience, and the Vitality London 10,000 gave me the confidence and foundation to go on and complete half and full marathons. There is a funny perception towards visually impaired people, as I am not blind, but I still need a guide runner. People are more understanding now, but it is important that events continue to educate their participants as confidence and self-belief is so important for runners like me, and it takes time to be open.
“Before I did the 10K I did a half marathon and that made me see I had to take a step back to take two step forwards. Thanks to the 10K I felt able to build myself up to those longer distances. What makes the distance special is that it’s both accessible and meaningful — a true test of endurance and mindset. For me, it’s become a way to stay mentally strong, push boundaries, and feel part of a community. I have met some incredible people on the Start Line of events and in my running community. I always said I wouldn’t do the same run twice, but I can't keep that promise with the Vitality London 10,000!”