Hundreds in Chicago cheer on lone marathon runner
Ethan Woodhead travelled alone and was shocked when hundreds were cheering him on as he ran.
Hundreds in Chicago cheer on lone marathon runner
Guernsey Marathon runner Ethan Woodhead said that having hundreds of strangers in Chicago cheering him along the route was "overwhelming and such a special experience"
A runner who travelled 4,000 miles (6,437km) to take part in a marathon was stunned and "lost for words" when hundreds of strangers lined the streets cheering him on and holding homemade signs with his name on them.
Ethan Woodhead, 24, travelled from his home in Guernsey to Chicago on his own, expecting to finish the race without any friends or family supporting him along the route.
Without his knowledge, his uncle Phil Woodhead had posted on Facebook asking people in Chicago whether they could surprise his nephew with a cheer as he passed by.
The post drew thousands of likes and hundreds of comments and shares, with strangers coming out to support him.
Woodhead said: "I didn't expect one person to know me, I travelled here on my own, but I had people people screaming my name, confetti, homemade banners and I'm just lost for words."
He finished the marathon in two hours, 31 minutes and 31 seconds.
He did not realise the post existed until he checked his phone on the morning of the race, when he saw supportive comments appearing.
He said: "It's such a pick me up. A marathon is not an easy thing, so having that kind of support really helps you get around the route so much easier.
"I was so taken back from all these people on the side of the road, who don't know me, and they didn't have to do that.
"I soaked it all in, blowing kisses, and high-fiving people, I just wanted to stop and give them a hug."
His uncle Phil said he was one of his biggest fans.
He said: "There was something in me that hated the idea that nobody would be there to support him, so I thought why not ask people at the marathon to give him a cheer."
By the time the marathon began, he said he had already received "hundreds of messages from strangers saying they will be there supporting him.
"In a world where people are so divided, isn't it so wonderful to see that people are still willing to do something nice for one another without there being anything in it for themselves," he added.