7 News Belize

Rowan Finishes His 92-Mile Walk
posted (July 16, 2012)
While most of us were unwinding this weekend - Rowan Garel, along with his family, friends and supporters were walking miles upon miles.

When we left him on Friday at noon - he was at the Guanacaste park in Belmopan - tired to the bone, but not nearly halfway done.

But impossible is nothing for this remarkable child - and he walked all weekend - through pain and heat - reaching his targeted destinations on both Saturday and Sunday.

And that set him up for a triumphant arrival into the city this morning. 7news was there, and here's how it looked:..

Daniel Ortiz reporting
A little after 8 this morning, when we caught up to the Rowan and his trekking companions, he was only a little over a mile away from his end point in Belize City. Keep in mind though, that he left mile 13 on the Western Highway, at 5 a.m. sharp.

He finished at the KHMH parking lot, right next to the BCVI Headquarters, where his supporters rushed in to greet him at the end of the 92 mile walk - a feat that can only be done with endurance and will-power.

But Rowan didn't just finish it right there. Like a well-experienced PR Officer, he greeted the media with energy, as though he had simply walked to the nearby shop and back.

Rowan Garel - Walked 92 Miles Across Belize
"It was painful, it was hard, it was difficult but now I really feel triumphant because I've made it and it's all over. But it was definitely worth it, we've had people supporting us, contributing, cheering us on and I am really glad that we had that much support."

We also asked him what the last stage of the journey was like:

Rowan Garel
"It was really long because I wanted to get there but the shower actually helped us stay cool and actually I had to wake up my dad because he was sleeping. I started getting a little cramped up but I stop and we stretch a little. It was more mental, it was long because you want to finish."

Rowan finished the entire 92 mile walk from the Benque border to Belize City with his entire family, but there were other people who went above and beyond in solidarity.

Rowan Garel
"They have Ms. Sheena, she came from Belize City, she took the bus almost every day down from the city to wherever we were, I really want to thank her for that. Joseph Gallagher, he came down from the states and did this with us. He also did some fund raising and the thing is that his family could have paid for his ticker but he was cutting grass and washing dishes to raise funds to buy his own ticket so that his family wouldn't have to pay for it, not everyone does that. My parents, they were really supportive and they helped me a lot."

And for the response, he also had only gratitude to show to the Belizean public who supported the effort.

Rowan Garel
"I've had people cheering me on, contributing, even if its $2, $5, $5 or $100, it doesn't matter. I really appreciate that. I just want to say thank you so much for your support. The contributions - if you haven't contributed, you could do so if you want, if you can't it's the thought that counts."

So, he has now completed a climb to the top of Victoria Peak, and now he has walked 92 miles - We asked him: how do they compare?

Rowan Garel
"Victoria Peak was definitely easier than this because with that you are resting, you have trees to lean on, but this was more rewarding because more people could join us, we could get support, people cheer us on, they are contributing - that was really nice."

The entire effort was a test of his will and endurance, but at the end of the day, all the funds raised is for the BCVI:

Rowan Garel
"We are the only organization is Belize that deals with blind or visually impaired people, so let's say something happens and they stop getting funding, we're just going to be left to drown in deep waters."

Joe Garel, father
"People go on family vacations. This is my family bonding-vacation kind of thing. It was nice - get to meet a lot of people that you don't normally meet and at the same time being able to do something that others can benefit from."

So, with these 2 difficult tasks behind them, everyone wants to know. What's the next challenge that Rowan and his family will take on?

Rowan Garel
"We are just looking at possible stuff, my dad wants to do Richardson Peak which is the highest peak, but I really don't know about that. He says he has never been there, so I don't know."

Joe Garel
"I always take on challenges whether for this or but its good if you can do it as a fund raiser but definitely we'll do something next year, we don't know when and we don't know what yet. We have a few ideas we are throwing around but it will be up to him."

Rowan hasn't decided yet what his next challenge will be.

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