Never-give-up Josh inspires at 947 race
Joshua Sole proved once again that he is stronger than any challenge coming his way when he had to overcome flat tyres and carry his bike for km's. He never gave up and eventually finished the 947 race.
The 14-year-old Joshua Sole not only finished his first 947 Ride Joburg cycle race but also managed to once again overcome adversity and show that one should never give up.
Joshua was riding as this year’s ambassador for Reach for a Dream. Joshua has been fighting cancer since he was eight years old, after being diagnosed with it. Dreaming of having his own bike, Reach for a Dream gifted him one.
On November 19 he took off leading the Reach for a Dream cycle pack but about two hours into his ride he had a flat tyre. With his father Mike about 40 minutes behind him he decided to pick up his bike and carry it.
• Also read: Young Joshua leads Reach for a Dream team
Lara Sole, his mother, told the Krugersdorp News that he carried his bike for about 30 minutes. This is a distance of about 6km.
After managing to catch up, his dad helped him fix the flat and they were on their way again. But alas, another three flat tyres later and Joshua came to a halt in front of a clinic in Sandton – the same clinic where he was born, where he was diagnosed with cancer, had his tumour removed, and fought a major bowel operation.
While his mother told him that no one would blame him if he gave up, it was not his fault, Joshua said he would finish the race. Greg, a close friend of his who had already finished, rushed back and gave Joshua his bike to finish on. A much bigger road bike but Joshua was going to finish, and he did.
