Local man of steel comes a cropper

CRISTIAN de la Cruz, the athlete who recently featured on the cover of Euro Weekly News (EWN) after pledging to spend 24 hours running and cycling across the Axarquia to raise funds for charity, saw his attempt cut short for medical reasons.

The Axarquia Al Limite challenge, which is raising funds for AVOI, a charity which trains volunteers to assist children with cancer, went as planned until the final stage, a night-time climb up La Maroma, the highest mountain in the area. 

De la Cruz explained on the challenge website the following day: “The mountain beat us. On our climb, I felt ill and dizzy. We decided to stop and, much to my regret and with tears in my eyes, start back down to Canillas. Once there I felt much worse and was sick and disorientated with a bad headache, so I was taken to hospital for a check-up and kept there overnight.”

The sportsman explained that he was feeling much better and wished to thank everybody who supported the initiative.

EWN wishes Cristian a speedy recovery and hopes that he is able to attain his fundraising target despite the setback.