Blind and partially sighted runners can compete with a guide. Usually tethered to the athlete by a rope, the guide talks throughout the race, explaining to the athlete where they are on the track, flagging up bends and making a call on whether or not the athlete should accelerate, hold the pace or relax. The golden rule of guide running is not to cross the line before the athlete, a crime punishable by disqualification.

失明和有视觉障碍的田径运动员参赛时可以依靠一名向导。通常与运动员以一根绳子相连，向导在旁不停的做解释，告诉运动员在跑道上的位置，前方是否有弯度，是否需要加速或保持现有速度或放松。最关键的一点是向导不能在运动员之前跨越终点线，否则马上取消比赛资格。