Richard Hunter is legally blind but he doesn’t let his lack of sight stop him from setting ambitious goals and achieving them.

The 42-year-old has completed a Boston Marathon and late last year, decided he needed a new challenge. After eight months of training, Hunter finished a half-ironman triathlon in Augusta, Ga. on Sept. 27, completing the 1.2-mile open water swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run in 5 hours, 19 minutes and 57 seconds.

“When I look back over the past year, there are so many different facets of what I accomplished,” Hunter said. “In the beginning it was just about setting a stretch goal for myself that would force me outside of my comfort zone. I also wanted to be a good role model for my children.

“There’s also the aspect of volunteering for the C Different Foundation, which was a big step for me and a huge learning curve for me to take on. I was inspired by other volunteers and by my guide Justin Waller, that I just wanted to give back to serviceman who had lost their vision.”

Through the C Different Foundation and their program Operation Refocus, which supports blind veterans training for and competing in triathlons, Hunter was able to participate in the triathlon.

Waller, a 34-year-old Folsom resident, guided Hunter through the event, serving as his eyes during the swim, tandem bike and run.

“Initially, I just wanted to help someone do something that they couldn’t do on their own,” Waller said. “In the end, I got quite a bit out of it. It gave me a different perspective on the world. My life no longer is as hard as I thought it was. In Augusta I met veterans who lost their sight protecting our freedom and those guys are studs to me.”

Before Hunter and Waller could attempt to finish the event, they had to train for it. Waller is an accomplished triathlete; Hunter, at least in January, wasn’t. When Waller agreed to guide Hunter, Hunter had very little swim experience and none in open water, and didn’t even have a bike.

Over the course of this year, Hunter trained at least six days a week, three of those days with Waller. The two usually spent one training session a week on one of the three athletic endeavors, swimming, biking and running.

“I knew I had plenty of hurdles to cross, but trusted that I was embarking on a journey, which was meant to be,” Hunter said. “It was not without stress, but Justin’s commitment and calm nature helped me through some of the mental aspects of my adventure. Justin remained rock solid to the end, and it was important to me to bring honor to Justin’s commitment and sacrifice.”

Upon crossing the finish line, Hunter felt many emotions, one of which was relief that he had not let down all the people supporting him, including Waller. He was also thrilled to finish 10 minutes faster than he anticipated, thankful to Waller and all those who helped him along the way and inspired from the other blind veterans who completed the triathlon.

Hunter’s next challenge is being a part of the United States Association of Blind Athletes National Blind Marathon Championships behind held during the California International Marathon in December.

“My primary goal is to finish strong and to implement a successful race day nutrition plan that significantly decreases or eliminates cramping,” Hunter said. “Armed with that success, I suppose I’ll have to push it to the next level and set a more ambitious goal.”

Hunter lives in Folsom with his wife, Heidi and their three children, Kiersten, 12, Lindsey, 8, and Makenna, 3.