I’ve been smiling about this story all week, and I think you will, too.
Last Sunday was the Chicago Marathon. And in my family, that’s long been a gold-star day on the calendar. Not so much because we are runners (although my son-in-law and I have medals in our memory boxes), but because it’s truly an exciting, uplifting, energizing and motivating day with over 1.5 million spectators lining the 26.2-mile route.
Which brings me to the story I’ve been smiling about for a week.
There was a 25-year-old runner, Englishman Ethan Woodhead, who travelled alone to Chicago to run the marathon.
And that, didn’t sit well with his uncle, Phil Woodhead, who desperately wanted to be in the Windy City to cheer his nephew on.
So what did Uncle Phil do?
He took to the Chicago Marathon Facebook group and made a simple post:
“My nephew has travelled across from Guernsey to run the marathon this year. He travelled solo and has no support in Chicago. I want to be a good uncle and see if we can surprise him with an occasional cheer along the route!”
Well, Uncle Phil asked and the Chicago fans delivered.
Uncle Phil has clearly been to his fair share of marathons because he knows what marathon spectators do best.
They cheer.
Cheering for runners is fun and uplifting. And because many marathons include the runner’s first name on the “bib” – which is worn on the front of the shirts - it gets wonderfully personal, too.
“You got this, Sarah!”
“Looking good, Victor!”
“Antonio, keep it up!”
I honestly have goosebumps typing the above. It’s beautiful seeing people caring for other people. And expecting nothing in return.
And Ethan – one of over 50,000 runners – had 26.2 miles of cheering supporters.
Hundreds -and I mean hundreds- of fans not only tracked Ethan on the official marathon app (which allows you to track runners’ locations) but they also showed up with signs, cowbells, confetti poppers and more.
And that’s the story.
A reminder of goodness just waiting to be asked.
If you want to see signs and videos, I know you can Google it.
For me, I wish I could send Uncle Phil a sign that says,
“Thanks for helping all of us let our goodness shine, Uncle Phil!”
Jim Higley is the co-founder of Puffer Hug, a company whose mission is to connect the world with kindness, one hug at a time. Learn more about Puffer Hug here.