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

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.