Running 788km (full length of Honduras) to build a school | I give it a try with Gerson Lopez

What is it like to cross the country of Honduras (788km) running? To understand and live the experience of Gerson Lopez, the first Honduran to achieve the historic feat, I try something crazy: Run the 27km from El Progreso to La Lima. It's equivalent to 3% of Gerson's feat, who ran from Trujillo to Choluteca-but for me it's one of the greatest challenges of my life.
I get up nervously at 4am to take advantage of the low temperature of the dark, and together with Gerson, I start the odyssey from Muscle Gym in El Progreso. I have no problems in the beginning and we even find fruits, coconuts, baleadas, tamales, burritos, coffee, and people who encourage us along the way. This isn't that hard, I think, not knowing what was awaiting us.
At 20 kms, my legs start to cramp and the temperature rises to a dangerous level. We start running where there is nothing except a dirt road and sugar cane fields, full of snakes and dust that fill my lungs. At 26km my legs can't take it anymore and I plan to give up. But when I enter the community of Flores de Oriente, the students of the school that we are rebuilding have a big surprise for me: they all join the race. Thanks to their encouragement, I manage to reach the final goal: the site in the community where we're rebuilding the school that was destroyed more than 700 days ago by hurricanes Eta and Iota.
In la Lima, Gerson tells us about the 788km experience: The physical and mental preparation for two years; the most difficult, cold, painful, frustrating, and hungry moments; the team that organized all the behind-the-scenes logistics such as lodging, food, transportation, security, sponsors, and publicity; and his youth and rebellion in the 36 Guaymas. When I ask Gerson, who did you dedicate the race to? his blue eyes begin to shed tears. Gerson tells us about his best friend and the biggest tragedy of his life.
Gerson Lopez managed to raise hundreds of bags of cement for the project through the run. The national hero is planning to organize more races to benefit different social causes. Thank you very much Gerson, the National Police for accompanying us, and the sponsors for supporting the race.
To donate to the school project in Flores de Oriente: my.shhkids.org/65
Gerson Lopez Facebook: / gersonlopezhn
*****
Donate to my organization, Students Helping Honduras: bit.ly/3rmQZT0
Facebook: bit.ly/3c2l4B3
Twitter: bit.ly/3c0ri4m
Instagram: bit.ly/3c8REkE
Build a school with me in Honduras for 8 days: bit.ly/2OuToMT
Teaches English in Honduras: bit.ly/3rnxs4Z
Donate $4/month to the Villa Soleada Children's Home: bit.ly/330E7ey