Synopses & Reviews
Serge Roetheli is a Swiss endurance runner who ran over 25,000 miles from the southern tip of Argentina to Alaska. Nicole, Serge's wife, accompanied him on a motorcycle as they worked to raise awareness of the plight of children in developing countries. After a well-deserved break back in Switzerland, Serge and Nicole embarked on their epic run around the world which they called Run for Kids. Starting with a send off by friends in Switzerland, they endured to complete this event, 25,700 miles and 63 months later, on May 7, 2005. They averaged a marathon every other day, drinking over 5.5 tons of Coca-Cola, wearing out 63 pairs of shoes, and 120 pairs of socks. Serge and Nicole's story is one of hope for anyone. They have fascinating stories of children they met in jails, orphanages they visited, poverty and snakes they encountered, coupe attempts and malaria that they survived--continuing on with broken bones, running the Sahara Desert and the Darien Gap, surviving running in Alaska in December and in hurricanes, and many more amazing stories providing learning experiences.
Serge was born a fighter, being born over three months premature, in a time when medical technology was not as advanced as it is today. As a teen, Serge became a skilled boxer, and subsequently earned the right to represent Switzerland in the 1976 Olympics, only to be frustrated when just days before his first Olympic fight the Swiss boxing coach was disqualified and the entire Swiss boxing team was forced to forfeit. Later, Serge became an accomplished mountain guide and ski instructor near his hometown of Sion near the Matterhorn, before he turned his attention to serious endurance running. The American Challenge and Run for Kids each had a two-fold purpose--to demonstrate Serge's endurance running ability, and to raise awareness for the plight of children in Third World countries.
Synopsis
The 25,000 Mile Love Story is a love story-but not a love story in the traditional sense. It is not just about a man and woman; nor is it just about a husband and wife. There are many people who can write that story. Instead, this is a love story that has lasted a lifetime-a love for the world's roads and all the people who inhabit them. You will follow Serge Roetheli through his childhood as an adventurer, through his teen years as a boxer, and through his adult life as a runner and mountain guide. As he writes in this intriguing memoir, You will sit by my side as I fell in love-not once, not twice, but three times. And you will run the road with me on The American Challenge and The World Tour. Then, you will return with me to where I belong, and I pray that you will take away some life lessons and the truth I have come to know so well. His life lessons are simple: It doesn't matter where you come from or what you start with. Possessing more or less doesn't ensure happiness or even victory. You cannot win the race overnight; you win it by persistence-by daily devotion. And you win it by doing the little things well.
"