Runner pulls muscle but finishes strong for charity
When you add up all the candidates for Wednesday’s general and municipal elections, the total numbers over two hundred aspirants for public office. But while most of those politicians may have spent the weekend campaigning, as far as we know, there was only one man really running. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
On Sunday morning, when most of us were still in bed, Michael Roberts was working up a sweat on the Western Highway. Roberts’ run from Belmopan to Belize City was in aid of the Stella Maris School. The first thirty-one miles went according to plan, with Roberts running non-stop at a good pace. But as the ex-British soldier reached near mile twenty he suffered a pulled muscle. While that painful injury slowed him down significantly, it only increased his determination to finish.
Michael Roberts
“I am very tired at the moment, picked up a little injury four or five miles back which slowed me down a lot. I have about ten miles to go, I have to finish, even if I have to walk the rest of the way, I have to finish it…just keep going.”
Along the fifty-mile route, Roberts was supported by colleagues who had followed behind in a company vehicle. As our brave runner approached the last leg of the run into Belize City, his injury overwhelmed him. But instead of hitching a ride to the finish line, he walked the remaining three miles. At the end, a very tired Roberts spoke with News 5’s cameraman, George Tillett.
George Tillett
“So did you ever think about giving up?”
Michael Roberts
“The last twenty miles, every mile. My leg, my leg was hurting me, but I can’t give up. A lot of kids here, a lot of kids need the money right, so can’t give up.”
George Tillett
“Do you think you will ever do it again?”
Michael Roberts
“Not this year.”
In the end, despite all the pain he endured, Michael Roberts was rewarded. He single-handedly managed to raise six thousand dollars for Stella Maris School. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
Roberts would like to give special thanks to all those companies who gave generously to the cause.
