Runner With Parkinson’s Disease Qualifies for Boston Marathon

1104

runner-parkinsons-boston-photo
Photo by Kevin Morris | Runner’s World

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the motor system. 58-year-old Michael Westphal has been battling this symptoms of this disease since 2006, but last June 20, 2015 he managed to finish the Great Run marathon, with a Boston Qualifying time of 3:32:56.

It was Westphal’s first attempt to run a marathon again for more than 20 years, reports said. And as he approach the last few meters before the finish-line, he stumbled and fell twice because his legs weren’t getting the proper signals from his brain to keep moving.

Watch his video below:

Advertisement

“Although I did fall twice, the cheering crowd, the chalk writing on the roads by the island school children that read ‘Go Mike!’, and the knowledge that I was going to uphold my end of the bargain with my fundraising donors was an overwhelming feeling of happiness that’s hard to describe.” – Michael told Runner’s World Newswire

Westphal also helped raise $32,800 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, exceeding his original goal of $4,000.

{full story}

For Instant Updates – Follow US!
https://www.facebook.com/pinoyfitness
https://www.twitter.com/pinoyfitness
https://www.instagram.com/pinoyfitness

PF Online Community -> https://members.pinoyfitness.com
PF Online Shop -> https://shop.pinoyfitness.com

Like this Post!? Share it to your friends!

21 COMMENTS

  1. As the race director for The Great Run I am thrilled but not all that surprised that my childhood running friend did so well. Michael Westphal has a strong heart and his beyond brave.

Leave a Reply to Christina Soriano Rosales Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here