Originally from Uruguay, Gustavo Gerolmini has always seen the world as a place to explore, connect, and move, literally. Before coming to D.C., Gustavo lived and worked in Barcelona, Spain. For the past two years, he and his spouse have made Montgomery County, Maryland, their home, enjoying the area's diversity and active community.
What drew him especially to the DMV area is its strong sports and outdoor culture. From running and cycling to padel (a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash) and hiking, he is not short of ways to stay active and connect to others who share his interests.
Most of all, he found a way to combine his love of running with a deeper purpose: volunteering as a guide runner.
Going Beyond the Run
Gustavo serves as a volunteer guide runner with both Achilles International and United in Stride, helping athletes with visual impairments to pursue their running goals.
“These athletes are not just participants,” he explains. “They’re committed, and like any other runner, they chase personal bests and performance goals. That makes the experience both challenging and incredibly rewarding.”
Guide running is as much about trust and communication as it is about physical endurance. Athletes rely on their guides for clear, step-by-step verbal cues to navigate workouts and races safely. Over time, this shared effort builds a strong bond and trust.
The race calendar in the area is full year-round, with opportunities ranging from 5Ks and 10Ks to half marathons (22k) and marathons (42k). Many athletes Gustavo runs with compete locally, but several also take part in major international events, including the World Marathon Majors, which is a series of the world’s most famous marathons, such as the Boston, Chicago, New York City, and London Marathons.
“For me, race day is the visible celebration of months of preparation, consistency, and shared effort,” he says. “That long-term commitment is what makes crossing the finish line together so meaningful.”
He also emphasizes that guide running isn’t limited to athletes with visual impairments. “It includes runners with a wide range of disabilities, from conditions arising from stroke, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries to arthritis, amputations, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and more,” he adds.
The Spark That Started It All
Gustavo’s journey to guide running started in Barcelona. Although he had seen guide runners during races, he didn’t imagine himself in that role until one day he passed a runner-guide pair training on the street. Something clicked.
“I saw them training,” he recalls, “and I could picture myself in the role as a guide runner.”
Shortly after, he spoke with the runner-guide pair, learned how to get involved, and began turning some of his easy runs into meaningful service to the community. When he and his spouse later moved to D.C., Gustavo made volunteer guide runner a priority. His first contact was through United in Stride (a website that connects blind runners with guides). Through other runners, he later learned about Achilles International, an international organization that helps people with disabilities participate in mainstream athletics by providing support, training, and technical expertise at all levels.
“Running has always been an important part of my life, and at some point, I wanted it to be more than just a personal challenge. I was looking for a way to give back while doing something I truly love,” he adds.
Gustavo also volunteers with the Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MCRRC) to support race organization and at the Rockville Bike Hub's bike repair workshop.
Beyond the Finishing Line
As a quality assurance engineer, Gustavo supports his team by anticipating risks and ensuring software runs smoothly for his users; skills that translate directly to being a guide runner.
"Guide running is deeply enriching and humbling. It made me a better collaborator, listener, and teammate," he reflects.
For Gustavo, running is not just a hobby and a form of fitness; it has become a service, a connection, and a way to be inclusive and elevate others. If you'd like to connect with him or learn more about his work as a guide runner, you can find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavogerolmini/.