An emotional Bill Nielsen crossed the finish line to a hero’s welcome on Sunday in Red Deer as the 67-year-old logged his 100th marathon.

In an amazing display of physical and mental strength, the Lacombe resident completed the 42.2-km race despite battling the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, diagnosed in 2000.

There was a roar of applause as Nielsen closed in on the finish line of the Red Deer Woody’s RV World Marathon surrounded by dozens of other runners who had kept pace with him in a show of support. The crowd broke into a soccer cheer as family, friends and other supporters rushed to hug and pat the back of the exhausted runner.

Nielsen, who was cheered on by well-wishers and family throughout the race, admitted it was an overwhelming experience.

“I will never run again with so much emotion.”

It was to be his last marathon, although he seemed to leave the door open slightly. “I’ll let some time go before I comment,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to doing some cross-country running.

Asked how he felt now that he has been officially crowned an inspiration by many in the running community, Nielsen was modest.

“When I help somebody, I think I’m helping myself, because they give it back to me tenfold.”

Nielsen’s wife Linda was thrilled by her husband’s feat.

“It’s very emotional. This is the first time I haven’t cried in the last year — because I’m so happy. I’m so happy he met his goal.”

Six of the couple’s children, and 35 relatives in all, including a brother and sister who had travelled from Ontario and Quebec, were at the finish line dressed in blue T-shirts embossed with “Bill’s 100th Marathon” on the back.

Among those at his side every step of the way was Nielsen’s Edmonton neurologist Dr. Brad Stewart.

“He asked me about a year ago to come down and run with him. There’s no way I could say no,” said Stewart, who competes in triathlons but was running his first marathon.

“It’s not an opportunity many people would get, so I grabbed it.”

Stewart knows better than most just what a towering achievement Nielsen’s marathon quest has been. He finished the race in 4:16:06 on Sunday.

“He’s an excellent example of someone who said, ‘I have Parkinson’s. Darn. But there are so many things I want to do in my life and I’m not going to let it hold me back.’ ”

Nielsen’s generous nature was shown time and time again on Sunday, said Stewart.

“You know, the amazing thing was he encouraged younger runners who were struggling.”

Stewart said he has had to “use every trick up my sleeve” to keep Nielsen healthy enough to complete the punishing races. He gives his patient one set of medications for day-to-day activity. For marathons, a special concoction of medications dissolved in water was prepared that Nielsen drank throughout the race.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer’s motor skills and speech. For Nielsen, it has made marathon training more physically difficult and affected his gait. Despite those and other challenges, he has completed 35 marathons since he was diagnosed.

Lynne Heaven, of Clive, was so inspired that she asked for Nielsen’s autograph.

“This is his 100th. I just really wanted it.”

She had planned to get the signature for her son, who is a runner, but she was not so sure she wanted to part with it. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

In honour of Nielsen’s achievement, the race committee chose the Parkinson’s Society of Southern Alberta as its charity this year. Nielsen is a co-founder of the race, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Contact Paul Cowley at pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com