Hundreds in Chicago cheer on lone marathon runner

A runner who travelled 4,000 miles (6,437km) to compete in a marathon was shocked and "lost for words" when hundreds of strangers were out on the streets cheering him on and holding homemade signs with his name on.

Ethan Woodhead, 24, travelled from his home in Guernsey to Chicago alone, expecting to complete the race without any friends or family supporting him along the route.

Unknown to him, his uncle Phil Woodhead had taken to Facebook to ask people in Chicago if they could surprise his nephew with a cheer as he ran past.

The post attracted thousands of likes and hundreds of comments and shares, with strangers turning 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 completed the marathon in two hours, 31 minutes and 31 seconds.

It was not until he looked at his phone on the morning of the race he became aware of the post, and saw supportive comments coming through.

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 had started 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.

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