Massachusetts

Massachusetts Woman Runs Own Half Marathon in Worcester After Mix Up With UK Race

Sheila Pereira learned too late that the Worcester City Run Half Marathon was actually being held in Worcester, England, and not Worcester, Massachusetts

A Massachusetts woman thought she was signing up to run a half marathon near her home, not across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sheila Pereira learned too late that the Worcester City Run Half Marathon was actually being held in Worcester, England, and not Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sept. 15.

She decided to run 13 miles that day anyway, only on this side of the pond.

The 42-year-old runner's fitness app showed she completed her own half marathon in 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Pereira sent the English race organizers a picture of her route from Worcester to Shrewsbury, much to the delight of the Worcester City Run organization.

"We'd like to introduce you to Sheila from Worcester...Massachusetts, USA," the organization said on its Facebook page. "We were thrilled to receive a message from her saying she'd completed the half marathon distance around the 'other Worcester' on Sunday morning."

After Pereira explained the mix-up, the Worcester City Half Marathon sent along a finishers medal and t-shirt to make sure her efforts didn't go unrewarded, as well as encouragement to travel the 3,000 miles to participate in person in next year's race.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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