Zak Turner Will Chase His Dreams at the United Airlines NYC Half

Zak Turner became visually impaired five years ago due to a rare genetic eye disease known as Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). "I woke up and opened my laptop one morning and the screen was blurry," he said. Within months he had no central vision and very limited peripheral vision.

“I thought my life was over and there was no purpose,” said Zak, 31, who lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

On March 20, Zak will run the United Airlines NYC Half.

Zak grew up in New Jersey playing baseball and football, and later was on the football team at Sacred Heart University. “Being active, sports, and competing was everything to me,” he said.

"This Was My New Competition"

In 2018, Zak started running after two family members encouraged him to try it. He joined Achilles International, an organization with a mission to empower people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream running events. Though he initially struggled to run even half a mile in Central Park, he worked his way up to longer distances and has completed an in-person half marathon and a virtual marathon.

“I decided that this was my new competition and my new passion,” said Zak, pictured above with his sister-in-law at a race. “Experiencing Central Park, Prospect Park, and different races has been life changing.”

Living a Full Life

Many family members and friends will be along the course cheering on March 20. “Being visually impaired, I cannot always do things by myself,” said Zak, who trains and races with an Achilles guide. “Having the support to run with someone or make sure I am in a safe environment to run is so beneficial. I want to make them proud.” He's pictured above training with another sister-in-law.

He said he’s doing things in his life now that he ever had done before he became visually impaired. "I thought I would never do sports again," he said. "I've learned that you can't use your circumstances to keep you from reaching your goals and living a full life."

Zak works in talent acquisition and recruiting for nurses at NYC hospitals, including Hospital for Special Surgery. The past two years have been extremely busy due to the pandemic. "I love what I do and it's gratifying to know this is important work in these times," he said.

He considers himself a quintessential New Yorker. “I have a desire to talk to everyone I meet, and I always want to hear other people's story,” he said.

He hopes that his run on March 20 will inspire people of all abilities to chase their dreams. “I am running to raise awareness that blind and visually impaired athletes can accomplish anything they want,” he said. “A setback or a situation will not define or limit you in life.”