Blind marathon runner completes Sydney course

CANBERRA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A blind Englishman, Dave Heeley, who hopes to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, completed the Australian leg of his tour on Thursday.

Heeley, known as Blind Dave, hit Sydney's Centennial Park this morning as part of his record-setting attempt.

It took him five hours to complete the 42km course, supported by members of Sydney's running club the Sydney Striders.

"The support that we've had today, the support runners, has just been absolutely phenomenal," the Australian Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Heeley said he and his running guide Malcolm Carr were feeling good after the run.

"Obviously, the legs are aching a little bit and (I'm) relatively tired, but good," he said.

Heeley has already completed marathons in North America, South America and the Falkland Islands - which is being treated as part of the Antarctic continent.

He will now move on to run in Dubai, Tunis in Tunisia, and London.

If Heeley makes it, he will be the first blind person to complete the challenge, following in the footsteps of sighted adventurers Ranulph Fiennes and Mike Stroud.

Heeley hopes to raise funds to train guide dogs for blind or partially sighted people in Britain.