Testing himself: Nick Evans is his day job, kicking for Harlequins, but he tried a new challenge this summer

By Katie Field

NICK EVANS added an extra five-kilometre run to his pre-season training programme, and it was a run with a difference. The Harlequins fly-half completed the Standard Chartered Great City Race blindfolded to raise funds for the charity Seeing is Believing.

Double act: Evans with his guide

He had a guide, Nicolas Verdier, to help him negotiate the City of London course, but still found it extremely difficult.

“Mentally it was one of the toughest things I have done, to try and picture what my guide was telling me while running,” said the former All Blacks No 10. “Your other senses work overtime – I could hear everything.

“My game and my ability to play and make decisions in split-seconds is based on my vision. It was a chance to get in the shoes of someone who is vision impaired.”

More than 5,000 runners took part in the Great City Race, competing as corporate teams, and £10 from each entry went to Seeing is Believing, which is working to prevent people from across the globe going blind. For more details, see www.cityrace.co.uk