On April 15th, 2019, history was made at the Boston Marathon when wheelchair racer Tatyana McFadden claimed her sixth consecutive victory. McFadden, a Paralympic gold medalist, is the first athlete to ever win six consecutive Boston Marathons in the wheelchair division.
McFadden, who was born with spina bifida and adopted from an orphanage in Russia at the age of six, has been racing since she was a child. She began her career in wheelchair racing by competing in the Chicago Marathon in 2000 and has since gone on to win 17 major marathons.
McFadden’s victory at the Boston Marathon was especially meaningful because of the significance of the event. The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest and most prestigious marathons in the world and has been held annually since 1897. It is also the only major marathon that allows wheelchair racers to compete alongside able-bodied runners.
McFadden’s win was also notable for her inspiring display of sportsmanship. After crossing the finish line, she hugged fellow wheelchair racer Susannah Scaroni, who finished second. The two athletes have been rivals for years and this gesture of respect and admiration was seen as a sign of their mutual admiration for one another.
McFadden’s victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport of wheelchair racing. Her inspiring story of perseverance and determination has been an inspiration to many and serves as a reminder that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
