Running for the Federation: Meet Roger Oberholzer

From the Editor: Last month we introduced you to one of our National Federation of the Blind Movement Ambassadors for the California International Marathon, Ken Duke. Here is a profile of another, Roger Oberholzer, who tells us the following about himself:

As an NFB Movement Ambassador for the 2025 California International Marathon, I advocate for the inclusion of blind athletes in adaptive sports and their participation in both local and international events.

I grew up in Switzerland, moved to San Diego (where my journey into adaptive sports began), and later settled in Folsom, California. I began running in 2018 after a close friend encouraged me to join a community of dedicated running guides. Since then, I have completed several California International Marathons; numerous half marathons, 10K, and 5K races; and five of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors—the 2022 Boston Marathon, 2022 New York City Marathon, 2023 Chicago Marathon, 2024 London Marathon, and 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon—with the 2026 Tokyo Marathon ahead as I pursue the coveted Abbott Six Star Medal.

My introduction to adaptive sports began with the Blind Stokers Club in San Diego, where I first experienced the power of teamwork and accessibility. Since then, organizations such as Achilles International, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and United in Stride have played vital roles in helping me reach my goals through guidance, grants, and connections to remarkable volunteers.

I firmly believe that blindness is only one of my descriptions—not a limitation. With proper accommodations and adaptations, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. My hope is that others, whether they have a disability or not, find in sports the same balance, purpose, and joy that have enriched my life beyond measure.